Chapter IX

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading Scenes of poverty and sickness are familiar now to many a good and fair woman, of whom it may be said in the words of the poet Lowell, that "Stairs, to sin and sorrow known, Sing to the welcome of her feet."

in the past

From this reading But few indeed were the high-born ladies a hundred and twenty years ago who ever penetrated the dark places where their suffering brothers and sisters lived and died in penury and want.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading Scenes of poverty and sickness are familiar now to many a good and fair woman, of whom it may be said in the words of the poet Lowell, that "Stairs, to sin and sorrow known, Sing to the welcome of her feet."

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Scenes of poverty and sickness are familiar now to many a good and fair woman, of whom it may be said in the words of the poet Lowell, that "Stairs, to sin and sorrow known, Sing to the welcome of her feet."

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading Class distinction was then rigid, and the sun of womanly tenderness and compassion had not as yet risen on the horizon with healing on its wings.

past form of “ascend” — travel up

From this reading Thus the two wretched attics, furnished with the barest necessities of life--to which she ascended by dark, narrow stairs--was indeed a new world to Griselda Mainwaring.

plural of “attic” — floor consisting of open space at the top of a house just below roof; often used for storage

From this reading Thus the two wretched attics, furnished with the barest necessities of life--to which she ascended by dark, narrow stairs--was indeed a new world to Griselda Mainwaring.

superlative of “bare” — completely unclothed

From this reading Thus the two wretched attics, furnished with the barest necessities of life--to which she ascended by dark, narrow stairs--was indeed a new world to Griselda Mainwaring.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading Scenes of poverty and sickness are familiar now to many a good and fair woman, of whom it may be said in the words of the poet Lowell, that "Stairs, to sin and sorrow known, Sing to the welcome of her feet."

plural of “brother” — a male with the same parents as someone else

From this reading But few indeed were the high-born ladies a hundred and twenty years ago who ever penetrated the dark places where their suffering brothers and sisters lived and died in penury and want.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But few indeed were the high-born ladies a hundred and twenty years ago who ever penetrated the dark places where their suffering brothers and sisters lived and died in penury and want.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Thus the two wretched attics, furnished with the barest necessities of life--to which she ascended by dark, narrow stairs--was indeed a new world to Griselda Mainwaring.

a collection of things sharing a common attribute

From this reading Class distinction was then rigid, and the sun of womanly tenderness and compassion had not as yet risen on the horizon with healing on its wings.

a deep awareness of and sympathy for another's suffering

From this reading Class distinction was then rigid, and the sun of womanly tenderness and compassion had not as yet risen on the horizon with healing on its wings.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading But few indeed were the high-born ladies a hundred and twenty years ago who ever penetrated the dark places where their suffering brothers and sisters lived and died in penury and want.

past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life

From this reading But few indeed were the high-born ladies a hundred and twenty years ago who ever penetrated the dark places where their suffering brothers and sisters lived and died in penury and want.

a discrimination between things as different and distinct on the basis of their characteristics or attributes

From this reading Class distinction was then rigid, and the sun of womanly tenderness and compassion had not as yet risen on the horizon with healing on its wings.

at any time

From this reading But few indeed were the high-born ladies a hundred and twenty years ago who ever penetrated the dark places where their suffering brothers and sisters lived and died in penury and want.

free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules

From this reading Scenes of poverty and sickness are familiar now to many a good and fair woman, of whom it may be said in the words of the poet Lowell, that "Stairs, to sin and sorrow known, Sing to the welcome of her feet."

well known or easily recognized

From this reading Scenes of poverty and sickness are familiar now to many a good and fair woman, of whom it may be said in the words of the poet Lowell, that "Stairs, to sin and sorrow known, Sing to the welcome of her feet."

plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading Scenes of poverty and sickness are familiar now to many a good and fair woman, of whom it may be said in the words of the poet Lowell, that "Stairs, to sin and sorrow known, Sing to the welcome of her feet."

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading But few indeed were the high-born ladies a hundred and twenty years ago who ever penetrated the dark places where their suffering brothers and sisters lived and died in penury and want.

provided with whatever is necessary for a purpose (as furniture or equipment or authority)

From this reading Thus the two wretched attics, furnished with the barest necessities of life--to which she ascended by dark, narrow stairs--was indeed a new world to Griselda Mainwaring.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading Scenes of poverty and sickness are familiar now to many a good and fair woman, of whom it may be said in the words of the poet Lowell, that "Stairs, to sin and sorrow known, Sing to the welcome of her feet."

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Thus the two wretched attics, furnished with the barest necessities of life--to which she ascended by dark, narrow stairs--was indeed a new world to Griselda Mainwaring.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading Class distinction was then rigid, and the sun of womanly tenderness and compassion had not as yet risen on the horizon with healing on its wings.

the natural process by which the body repairs itself

From this reading Class distinction was then rigid, and the sun of womanly tenderness and compassion had not as yet risen on the horizon with healing on its wings.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading Scenes of poverty and sickness are familiar now to many a good and fair woman, of whom it may be said in the words of the poet Lowell, that "Stairs, to sin and sorrow known, Sing to the welcome of her feet."

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But few indeed were the high-born ladies a hundred and twenty years ago who ever penetrated the dark places where their suffering brothers and sisters lived and died in penury and want.

the line at which the sky and Earth appear to meet

From this reading Class distinction was then rigid, and the sun of womanly tenderness and compassion had not as yet risen on the horizon with healing on its wings.

ten 10s

From this reading But few indeed were the high-born ladies a hundred and twenty years ago who ever penetrated the dark places where their suffering brothers and sisters lived and died in penury and want.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading Scenes of poverty and sickness are familiar now to many a good and fair woman, of whom it may be said in the words of the poet Lowell, that "Stairs, to sin and sorrow known, Sing to the welcome of her feet."

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading But few indeed were the high-born ladies a hundred and twenty years ago who ever penetrated the dark places where their suffering brothers and sisters lived and died in penury and want.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Scenes of poverty and sickness are familiar now to many a good and fair woman, of whom it may be said in the words of the poet Lowell, that "Stairs, to sin and sorrow known, Sing to the welcome of her feet."

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Class distinction was then rigid, and the sun of womanly tenderness and compassion had not as yet risen on the horizon with healing on its wings.

apprehended with certainty

From this reading Scenes of poverty and sickness are familiar now to many a good and fair woman, of whom it may be said in the words of the poet Lowell, that "Stairs, to sin and sorrow known, Sing to the welcome of her feet."

plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman

From this reading But few indeed were the high-born ladies a hundred and twenty years ago who ever penetrated the dark places where their suffering brothers and sisters lived and died in penury and want.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading Thus the two wretched attics, furnished with the barest necessities of life--to which she ascended by dark, narrow stairs--was indeed a new world to Griselda Mainwaring.

past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading But few indeed were the high-born ladies a hundred and twenty years ago who ever penetrated the dark places where their suffering brothers and sisters lived and died in penury and want.

United States poet (1917-1977)

From this reading Scenes of poverty and sickness are familiar now to many a good and fair woman, of whom it may be said in the words of the poet Lowell, that "Stairs, to sin and sorrow known, Sing to the welcome of her feet."

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Thus the two wretched attics, furnished with the barest necessities of life--to which she ascended by dark, narrow stairs--was indeed a new world to Griselda Mainwaring.

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 Scenes of poverty and sickness are familiar now to many a good and fair woman, of whom it may be said in the words of the poet Lowell, that "Stairs, to sin and sorrow known, Sing to the welcome of her feet."

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading Scenes of poverty and sickness are familiar now to many a good and fair woman, of whom it may be said in the words of the poet Lowell, that "Stairs, to sin and sorrow known, Sing to the welcome of her feet."

make or become more narrow or restricted

From this reading Thus the two wretched attics, furnished with the barest necessities of life--to which she ascended by dark, narrow stairs--was indeed a new world to Griselda Mainwaring.

plural of “necessity” — the condition of being essential or indispensable

From this reading Thus the two wretched attics, furnished with the barest necessities of life--to which she ascended by dark, narrow stairs--was indeed a new world to Griselda Mainwaring.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading Thus the two wretched attics, furnished with the barest necessities of life--to which she ascended by dark, narrow stairs--was indeed a new world to Griselda Mainwaring.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Class distinction was then rigid, and the sun of womanly tenderness and compassion had not as yet risen on the horizon with healing on its wings.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading Scenes of poverty and sickness are familiar now to many a good and fair woman, of whom it may be said in the words of the poet Lowell, that "Stairs, to sin and sorrow known, Sing to the welcome of her feet."

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Scenes of poverty and sickness are familiar now to many a good and fair woman, of whom it may be said in the words of the poet Lowell, that "Stairs, to sin and sorrow known, Sing to the welcome of her feet."

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Class distinction was then rigid, and the sun of womanly tenderness and compassion had not as yet risen on the horizon with healing on its wings.

past form of “penetrate” — pass into or through, often by overcoming resistance

From this reading But few indeed were the high-born ladies a hundred and twenty years ago who ever penetrated the dark places where their suffering brothers and sisters lived and died in penury and want.

a state of extreme poverty or destitution

From this reading But few indeed were the high-born ladies a hundred and twenty years ago who ever penetrated the dark places where their suffering brothers and sisters lived and died in penury and want.

plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading But few indeed were the high-born ladies a hundred and twenty years ago who ever penetrated the dark places where their suffering brothers and sisters lived and died in penury and want.

a writer of poems (the term is usually reserved for writers of good poetry)

From this reading Scenes of poverty and sickness are familiar now to many a good and fair woman, of whom it may be said in the words of the poet Lowell, that "Stairs, to sin and sorrow known, Sing to the welcome of her feet."

the state of having little or no money and few or no material possessions

From this reading Scenes of poverty and sickness are familiar now to many a good and fair woman, of whom it may be said in the words of the poet Lowell, that "Stairs, to sin and sorrow known, Sing to the welcome of her feet."

incapable of or resistant to bending

From this reading Class distinction was then rigid, and the sun of womanly tenderness and compassion had not as yet risen on the horizon with healing on its wings.

(of e.g. celestial bodies) above the horizon

From this reading Class distinction was then rigid, and the sun of womanly tenderness and compassion had not as yet risen on the horizon with healing on its wings.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading Scenes of poverty and sickness are familiar now to many a good and fair woman, of whom it may be said in the words of the poet Lowell, that "Stairs, to sin and sorrow known, Sing to the welcome of her feet."

plural of “scene” — the place where some action occurs

From this reading Scenes of poverty and sickness are familiar now to many a good and fair woman, of whom it may be said in the words of the poet Lowell, that "Stairs, to sin and sorrow known, Sing to the welcome of her feet."

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Thus the two wretched attics, furnished with the barest necessities of life--to which she ascended by dark, narrow stairs--was indeed a new world to Griselda Mainwaring.

impairment of normal physiological function affecting part or all of an organism

From this reading Scenes of poverty and sickness are familiar now to many a good and fair woman, of whom it may be said in the words of the poet Lowell, that "Stairs, to sin and sorrow known, Sing to the welcome of her feet."

estrangement from god

From this reading Scenes of poverty and sickness are familiar now to many a good and fair woman, of whom it may be said in the words of the poet Lowell, that "Stairs, to sin and sorrow known, Sing to the welcome of her feet."

deliver by singing

From this reading Scenes of poverty and sickness are familiar now to many a good and fair woman, of whom it may be said in the words of the poet Lowell, that "Stairs, to sin and sorrow known, Sing to the welcome of her feet."

plural of “sister” — a female person who has the same parents as another person

From this reading But few indeed were the high-born ladies a hundred and twenty years ago who ever penetrated the dark places where their suffering brothers and sisters lived and died in penury and want.

an emotion of great sadness associated with loss or bereavement

From this reading Scenes of poverty and sickness are familiar now to many a good and fair woman, of whom it may be said in the words of the poet Lowell, that "Stairs, to sin and sorrow known, Sing to the welcome of her feet."

a flight of stairs or a flight of steps

From this reading Scenes of poverty and sickness are familiar now to many a good and fair woman, of whom it may be said in the words of the poet Lowell, that "Stairs, to sin and sorrow known, Sing to the welcome of her feet."

a state of acute pain

From this reading But few indeed were the high-born ladies a hundred and twenty years ago who ever penetrated the dark places where their suffering brothers and sisters lived and died in penury and want.

the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading Class distinction was then rigid, and the sun of womanly tenderness and compassion had not as yet risen on the horizon with healing on its wings.

a tendency to express warm and affectionate feeling

From this reading Class distinction was then rigid, and the sun of womanly tenderness and compassion had not as yet risen on the horizon with healing on its wings.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Scenes of poverty and sickness are familiar now to many a good and fair woman, of whom it may be said in the words of the poet Lowell, that "Stairs, to sin and sorrow known, Sing to the welcome of her feet."

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading Scenes of poverty and sickness are familiar now to many a good and fair woman, of whom it may be said in the words of the poet Lowell, that "Stairs, to sin and sorrow known, Sing to the welcome of her feet."

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading But few indeed were the high-born ladies a hundred and twenty years ago who ever penetrated the dark places where their suffering brothers and sisters lived and died in penury and want.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Class distinction was then rigid, and the sun of womanly tenderness and compassion had not as yet risen on the horizon with healing on its wings.

(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result

From this reading Thus the two wretched attics, furnished with the barest necessities of life--to which she ascended by dark, narrow stairs--was indeed a new world to Griselda Mainwaring.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading Scenes of poverty and sickness are familiar now to many a good and fair woman, of whom it may be said in the words of the poet Lowell, that "Stairs, to sin and sorrow known, Sing to the welcome of her feet."

the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one

From this reading But few indeed were the high-born ladies a hundred and twenty years ago who ever penetrated the dark places where their suffering brothers and sisters lived and died in penury and want.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading Thus the two wretched attics, furnished with the barest necessities of life--to which she ascended by dark, narrow stairs--was indeed a new world to Griselda Mainwaring.

feel or have a desire for; want strongly

From this reading But few indeed were the high-born ladies a hundred and twenty years ago who ever penetrated the dark places where their suffering brothers and sisters lived and died in penury and want.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Class distinction was then rigid, and the sun of womanly tenderness and compassion had not as yet risen on the horizon with healing on its wings.

past form of “watch” — look attentively

From this reading WATCHED!

accept gladly

From this reading Scenes of poverty and sickness are familiar now to many a good and fair woman, of whom it may be said in the words of the poet Lowell, that "Stairs, to sin and sorrow known, Sing to the welcome of her feet."

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading But few indeed were the high-born ladies a hundred and twenty years ago who ever penetrated the dark places where their suffering brothers and sisters lived and died in penury and want.

in or at the place that

From this reading But few indeed were the high-born ladies a hundred and twenty years ago who ever penetrated the dark places where their suffering brothers and sisters lived and died in penury and want.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading Thus the two wretched attics, furnished with the barest necessities of life--to which she ascended by dark, narrow stairs--was indeed a new world to Griselda Mainwaring.

which person or people

From this reading But few indeed were the high-born ladies a hundred and twenty years ago who ever penetrated the dark places where their suffering brothers and sisters lived and died in penury and want.

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Scenes of poverty and sickness are familiar now to many a good and fair woman, of whom it may be said in the words of the poet Lowell, that "Stairs, to sin and sorrow known, Sing to the welcome of her feet."

a means of flight or ascent

From this reading Class distinction was then rigid, and the sun of womanly tenderness and compassion had not as yet risen on the horizon with healing on its wings.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Class distinction was then rigid, and the sun of womanly tenderness and compassion had not as yet risen on the horizon with healing on its wings.

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading Scenes of poverty and sickness are familiar now to many a good and fair woman, of whom it may be said in the words of the poet Lowell, that "Stairs, to sin and sorrow known, Sing to the welcome of her feet."

befitting or characteristic of a woman especially a mature woman

From this reading Class distinction was then rigid, and the sun of womanly tenderness and compassion had not as yet risen on the horizon with healing on its wings.

the words that are spoken

From this reading Scenes of poverty and sickness are familiar now to many a good and fair woman, of whom it may be said in the words of the poet Lowell, that "Stairs, to sin and sorrow known, Sing to the welcome of her feet."

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading Thus the two wretched attics, furnished with the barest necessities of life--to which she ascended by dark, narrow stairs--was indeed a new world to Griselda Mainwaring.

of very poor quality or condition

From this reading Thus the two wretched attics, furnished with the barest necessities of life--to which she ascended by dark, narrow stairs--was indeed a new world to Griselda Mainwaring.

a late time of life

From this reading But few indeed were the high-born ladies a hundred and twenty years ago who ever penetrated the dark places where their suffering brothers and sisters lived and died in penury and want.

but in spite of that

From this reading Class distinction was then rigid, and the sun of womanly tenderness and compassion had not as yet risen on the horizon with healing on its wings.