used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Hetty had found a patch of ragged turf and mallow where the woodstack hid her from the parsonage windows; and sat there in the morning sun--unconsciously, as usual, courting its full rays.
a record or narrative description of past events
From this reading She hoped, indeed, that the interview would be short, but simply because the account she must render to him seemed trivial beside that which she must render to herself.
adjustedadjectiveUS /əˈdʒʌstɪd/
altered to accommodate to certain requirements or bring into a proper relation
From this reading Her eyes watched the hens as they scratched pits in the warm dust, snuggled down and adjusted and readjusted their wing-feathers.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Hetty had found a patch of ragged turf and mallow where the woodstack hid her from the parsonage windows; and sat there in the morning sun--unconsciously, as usual, courting its full rays.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Hetty had found a patch of ragged turf and mallow where the woodstack hid her from the parsonage windows; and sat there in the morning sun--unconsciously, as usual, courting its full rays.
completely unclothed
From this reading Between her and the stack the ground was bare, strewn with straw and broken twigs.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading She hoped, indeed, that the interview would be short, but simply because the account she must render to him seemed trivial beside that which she must render to herself.
for the reason that
From this reading She hoped, indeed, that the interview would be short, but simply because the account she must render to him seemed trivial beside that which she must render to herself.
next to; at the side of
From this reading She hoped, indeed, that the interview would be short, but simply because the account she must render to him seemed trivial beside that which she must render to herself.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Between her and the stack the ground was bare, strewn with straw and broken twigs.
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading Between her and the stack the ground was bare, strewn with straw and broken twigs.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She supposed that her father would send for her soon: but she was preparing no defence, no excuses.
courtingnounUS /ˈkɔːrtɪŋ/
a man's courting of a woman; seeking the affections of a woman (usually with the hope of marriage)
From this reading Hetty had found a patch of ragged turf and mallow where the woodstack hid her from the parsonage windows; and sat there in the morning sun--unconsciously, as usual, courting its full rays.
defencenounUS /dɪˈfens/
(psychiatry) an unconscious process that tries to reduce the anxiety associated with instinctive desires
From this reading She supposed that her father would send for her soon: but she was preparing no defence, no excuses.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Her eyes watched the hens as they scratched pits in the warm dust, snuggled down and adjusted and readjusted their wing-feathers.
remove the dust from
From this reading Her eyes watched the hens as they scratched pits in the warm dust, snuggled down and adjusted and readjusted their wing-feathers.
excusesnounUS /ɪksˈkjuːsɪz/
plural of “excuse” — a defense of some offensive behavior or some failure to keep a promise etc.
From this reading She supposed that her father would send for her soon: but she was preparing no defence, no excuses.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Her eyes watched the hens as they scratched pits in the warm dust, snuggled down and adjusted and readjusted their wing-feathers.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading She supposed that her father would send for her soon: but she was preparing no defence, no excuses.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading She supposed that her father would send for her soon: but she was preparing no defence, no excuses.
set up or found
From this reading Hetty had found a patch of ragged turf and mallow where the woodstack hid her from the parsonage windows; and sat there in the morning sun--unconsciously, as usual, courting its full rays.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Hetty had found a patch of ragged turf and mallow where the woodstack hid her from the parsonage windows; and sat there in the morning sun--unconsciously, as usual, courting its full rays.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading Hetty had found a patch of ragged turf and mallow where the woodstack hid her from the parsonage windows; and sat there in the morning sun--unconsciously, as usual, courting its full rays.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading Between her and the stack the ground was bare, strewn with straw and broken twigs.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Hetty had found a patch of ragged turf and mallow where the woodstack hid her from the parsonage windows; and sat there in the morning sun--unconsciously, as usual, courting its full rays.
hensnounUS /henz/
plural of “hen” — adult female chicken
From this reading Her eyes watched the hens as they scratched pits in the warm dust, snuggled down and adjusted and readjusted their wing-feathers.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Hetty had found a patch of ragged turf and mallow where the woodstack hid her from the parsonage windows; and sat there in the morning sun--unconsciously, as usual, courting its full rays.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading She hoped, indeed, that the interview would be short, but simply because the account she must render to him seemed trivial beside that which she must render to herself.
Hetty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hetty had found a patch of ragged turf and mallow where the woodstack hid her from the parsonage windows; and sat there in the morning sun--unconsciously, as usual, courting its full rays.
inflected form of “hide” — prevent from being seen or discovered
From this reading Hetty had found a patch of ragged turf and mallow where the woodstack hid her from the parsonage windows; and sat there in the morning sun--unconsciously, as usual, courting its full rays.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading She hoped, indeed, that the interview would be short, but simply because the account she must render to him seemed trivial beside that which she must render to herself.
past form of “hope” — expect and wish
From this reading She hoped, indeed, that the interview would be short, but simply because the account she must render to him seemed trivial beside that which she must render to herself.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Hetty had found a patch of ragged turf and mallow where the woodstack hid her from the parsonage windows; and sat there in the morning sun--unconsciously, as usual, courting its full rays.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading She hoped, indeed, that the interview would be short, but simply because the account she must render to him seemed trivial beside that which she must render to herself.
conduct an interview in television, newspaper, and radio reporting
From this reading She hoped, indeed, that the interview would be short, but simply because the account she must render to him seemed trivial beside that which she must render to herself.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Hetty had found a patch of ragged turf and mallow where the woodstack hid her from the parsonage windows; and sat there in the morning sun--unconsciously, as usual, courting its full rays.
mallownounUS /ˈmæloʊ/
any of various plants of the family Malvaceae
From this reading Hetty had found a patch of ragged turf and mallow where the woodstack hid her from the parsonage windows; and sat there in the morning sun--unconsciously, as usual, courting its full rays.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading Hetty had found a patch of ragged turf and mallow where the woodstack hid her from the parsonage windows; and sat there in the morning sun--unconsciously, as usual, courting its full rays.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading She hoped, indeed, that the interview would be short, but simply because the account she must render to him seemed trivial beside that which she must render to herself.
not any; not one
From this reading She supposed that her father would send for her soon: but she was preparing no defence, no excuses.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Hetty had found a patch of ragged turf and mallow where the woodstack hid her from the parsonage windows; and sat there in the morning sun--unconsciously, as usual, courting its full rays.
parsonagenounUS /ˈpɑːrsənɪdʒ/
an official residence provided by a church for its parson or vicar or rector
From this reading Hetty had found a patch of ragged turf and mallow where the woodstack hid her from the parsonage windows; and sat there in the morning sun--unconsciously, as usual, courting its full rays.
patchnounUS /pætʃ/
a small contrasting part of something
From this reading Hetty had found a patch of ragged turf and mallow where the woodstack hid her from the parsonage windows; and sat there in the morning sun--unconsciously, as usual, courting its full rays.
pitsnounUS /pɪts/
plural of “pit” — a sizeable hole (usually in the ground)
From this reading Her eyes watched the hens as they scratched pits in the warm dust, snuggled down and adjusted and readjusted their wing-feathers.
preparingverbUS /priˈperɪŋ/
-ing form of “prepare” — make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc
From this reading She supposed that her father would send for her soon: but she was preparing no defence, no excuses.
raggedadjectiveUS /ˈræɡəd/
being or dressed in clothes that are worn or torn
From this reading Hetty had found a patch of ragged turf and mallow where the woodstack hid her from the parsonage windows; and sat there in the morning sun--unconsciously, as usual, courting its full rays.
raysnounUS /reɪz/
plural of “ray” — a column of light (as from a beacon)
From this reading Hetty had found a patch of ragged turf and mallow where the woodstack hid her from the parsonage windows; and sat there in the morning sun--unconsciously, as usual, courting its full rays.
readjustedverbUS /ˌriːəˈdʒʌstɪd/
past form of “readjust” — adjust anew
From this reading Her eyes watched the hens as they scratched pits in the warm dust, snuggled down and adjusted and readjusted their wing-feathers.
renderverbUS /ˈrendər/
cause to become
From this reading She hoped, indeed, that the interview would be short, but simply because the account she must render to him seemed trivial beside that which she must render to herself.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Hetty had found a patch of ragged turf and mallow where the woodstack hid her from the parsonage windows; and sat there in the morning sun--unconsciously, as usual, courting its full rays.
scratchedverbUS /skrætʃt/
past form of “scratch” — cause friction
From this reading Her eyes watched the hens as they scratched pits in the warm dust, snuggled down and adjusted and readjusted their wing-feathers.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading She hoped, indeed, that the interview would be short, but simply because the account she must render to him seemed trivial beside that which she must render to herself.
cause to go somewhere
From this reading She supposed that her father would send for her soon: but she was preparing no defence, no excuses.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She supposed that her father would send for her soon: but she was preparing no defence, no excuses.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading She hoped, indeed, that the interview would be short, but simply because the account she must render to him seemed trivial beside that which she must render to herself.
and nothing more
From this reading She hoped, indeed, that the interview would be short, but simply because the account she must render to him seemed trivial beside that which she must render to herself.
snuggledadjectiveUS /ˈsnʌɡəld/
drawn or pressed close to someone or something for or as if for affection or protection
From this reading Her eyes watched the hens as they scratched pits in the warm dust, snuggled down and adjusted and readjusted their wing-feathers.
in the near future
From this reading She supposed that her father would send for her soon: but she was preparing no defence, no excuses.
stacknounUS /stæk/
an orderly pile
From this reading Between her and the stack the ground was bare, strewn with straw and broken twigs.
plant fiber used e.g. for making baskets and hats or as fodder
From this reading Between her and the stack the ground was bare, strewn with straw and broken twigs.
strewnverbUS /struːn/
inflected form of “strew” — spread by scattering ("straw" is archaic)
From this reading Between her and the stack the ground was bare, strewn with straw and broken twigs.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading Hetty had found a patch of ragged turf and mallow where the woodstack hid her from the parsonage windows; and sat there in the morning sun--unconsciously, as usual, courting its full rays.
required or under orders
From this reading She supposed that her father would send for her soon: but she was preparing no defence, no excuses.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She supposed that her father would send for her soon: but she was preparing no defence, no excuses.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Hetty had found a patch of ragged turf and mallow where the woodstack hid her from the parsonage windows; and sat there in the morning sun--unconsciously, as usual, courting its full rays.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Her eyes watched the hens as they scratched pits in the warm dust, snuggled down and adjusted and readjusted their wing-feathers.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Hetty had found a patch of ragged turf and mallow where the woodstack hid her from the parsonage windows; and sat there in the morning sun--unconsciously, as usual, courting its full rays.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Her eyes watched the hens as they scratched pits in the warm dust, snuggled down and adjusted and readjusted their wing-feathers.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She hoped, indeed, that the interview would be short, but simply because the account she must render to him seemed trivial beside that which she must render to herself.
trivialadjectiveUS /ˈtrɪviəl/
(informal) small and of little importance
From this reading She hoped, indeed, that the interview would be short, but simply because the account she must render to him seemed trivial beside that which she must render to herself.
turfnounUS /tɜːrf/
surface layer of ground containing a mat of grass and grass roots
From this reading Hetty had found a patch of ragged turf and mallow where the woodstack hid her from the parsonage windows; and sat there in the morning sun--unconsciously, as usual, courting its full rays.
twigsnounUS /twɪɡz/
plural of “twig” — a small branch or division of a branch (especially a terminal division); usually applied to branches of the current or preceding year
From this reading Between her and the stack the ground was bare, strewn with straw and broken twigs.
unconsciouslyadverbUS /ˌʌnˈkɑːnʃəsli/
without awareness
From this reading Hetty had found a patch of ragged turf and mallow where the woodstack hid her from the parsonage windows; and sat there in the morning sun--unconsciously, as usual, courting its full rays.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading Hetty had found a patch of ragged turf and mallow where the woodstack hid her from the parsonage windows; and sat there in the morning sun--unconsciously, as usual, courting its full rays.
having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat
From this reading Her eyes watched the hens as they scratched pits in the warm dust, snuggled down and adjusted and readjusted their wing-feathers.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Between her and the stack the ground was bare, strewn with straw and broken twigs.
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading Her eyes watched the hens as they scratched pits in the warm dust, snuggled down and adjusted and readjusted their wing-feathers.
in or at the place that
From this reading Hetty had found a patch of ragged turf and mallow where the woodstack hid her from the parsonage windows; and sat there in the morning sun--unconsciously, as usual, courting its full rays.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading She hoped, indeed, that the interview would be short, but simply because the account she must render to him seemed trivial beside that which she must render to herself.
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading Hetty had found a patch of ragged turf and mallow where the woodstack hid her from the parsonage windows; and sat there in the morning sun--unconsciously, as usual, courting its full rays.
wing-feathers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her eyes watched the hens as they scratched pits in the warm dust, snuggled down and adjusted and readjusted their wing-feathers.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Between her and the stack the ground was bare, strewn with straw and broken twigs.
woodstack
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hetty had found a patch of ragged turf and mallow where the woodstack hid her from the parsonage windows; and sat there in the morning sun--unconsciously, as usual, courting its full rays.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading She supposed that her father would send for her soon: but she was preparing no defence, no excuses.
