Chapter XXX · Excitement

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

From this reading But it did not matter then, and for a full half hour she lay waiting for Adah’s return.

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

From this reading They were not early risers at Terrace Hill, and the morning following Adah’s flight Anna slept later than usual; nor was it until Willie’s cry, calling for mamma, was heard, that she awoke, and thinking Adah had gone down for something, bade Willie come to her.

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

From this reading They were not early risers at Terrace Hill, and the morning following Adah’s flight Anna slept later than usual; nor was it until Willie’s cry, calling for mamma, was heard, that she awoke, and thinking Adah had gone down for something, bade Willie come to her.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading Anna had hardly been human had she waited an instant ere she tore open the envelope and learned that Charlie had returned from India and had not forgotten her.

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

From this reading They were not early risers at Terrace Hill, and the morning following Adah’s flight Anna slept later than usual; nor was it until Willie’s cry, calling for mamma, was heard, that she awoke, and thinking Adah had gone down for something, bade Willie come to her.

a former copper coin of Pakistan and India

From this reading They were not early risers at Terrace Hill, and the morning following Adah’s flight Anna slept later than usual; nor was it until Willie’s cry, calling for mamma, was heard, that she awoke, and thinking Adah had gone down for something, bade Willie come to her.

weapons considered collectively

From this reading Putting out her arms she lifted him carefully into her own bed, and in so doing brushed from her pillow the letters left for her.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading They were not early risers at Terrace Hill, and the morning following Adah’s flight Anna slept later than usual; nor was it until Willie’s cry, calling for mamma, was heard, that she awoke, and thinking Adah had gone down for something, bade Willie come to her.

inflected form of “awake” — stop sleeping

From this reading They were not early risers at Terrace Hill, and the morning following Adah’s flight Anna slept later than usual; nor was it until Willie’s cry, calling for mamma, was heard, that she awoke, and thinking Adah had gone down for something, bade Willie come to her.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading Growing impatient at last, she stepped upon the floor, her bare feet touching something cold, something which made her look down and find that she was stepping on a letter—not one, but two—and in wondering surprise she turned them to the light, half fainting with excitement, when on the back of the first one examined, she saw the old familiar handwriting, and knew that Charlie had written.

a Chadic language spoken in northern Nigeria

From this reading They were not early risers at Terrace Hill, and the morning following Adah’s flight Anna slept later than usual; nor was it until Willie’s cry, calling for mamma, was heard, that she awoke, and thinking Adah had gone down for something, bade Willie come to her.

completely unclothed

From this reading Growing impatient at last, she stepped upon the floor, her bare feet touching something cold, something which made her look down and find that she was stepping on a letter—not one, but two—and in wondering surprise she turned them to the light, half fainting with excitement, when on the back of the first one examined, she saw the old familiar handwriting, and knew that Charlie had written.

a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep

From this reading Putting out her arms she lifted him carefully into her own bed, and in so doing brushed from her pillow the letters left for her.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Anna had hardly been human had she waited an instant ere she tore open the envelope and learned that Charlie had returned from India and had not forgotten her.

touched lightly in passing; grazed against

From this reading Putting out her arms she lifted him carefully into her own bed, and in so doing brushed from her pillow the letters left for her.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But it did not matter then, and for a full half hour she lay waiting for Adah’s return.

the particular occupation for which you are trained

From this reading They were not early risers at Terrace Hill, and the morning following Adah’s flight Anna slept later than usual; nor was it until Willie’s cry, calling for mamma, was heard, that she awoke, and thinking Adah had gone down for something, bade Willie come to her.

taking care or paying attention

From this reading Putting out her arms she lifted him carefully into her own bed, and in so doing brushed from her pillow the letters left for her.

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

From this reading Growing impatient at last, she stepped upon the floor, her bare feet touching something cold, something which made her look down and find that she was stepping on a letter—not one, but two—and in wondering surprise she turned them to the light, half fainting with excitement, when on the back of the first one examined, she saw the old familiar handwriting, and knew that Charlie had written.

having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration

From this reading Growing impatient at last, she stepped upon the floor, her bare feet touching something cold, something which made her look down and find that she was stepping on a letter—not one, but two—and in wondering surprise she turned them to the light, half fainting with excitement, when on the back of the first one examined, she saw the old familiar handwriting, and knew that Charlie had written.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading They were not early risers at Terrace Hill, and the morning following Adah’s flight Anna slept later than usual; nor was it until Willie’s cry, calling for mamma, was heard, that she awoke, and thinking Adah had gone down for something, bade Willie come to her.

utter a sudden loud cry

From this reading They were not early risers at Terrace Hill, and the morning following Adah’s flight Anna slept later than usual; nor was it until Willie’s cry, calling for mamma, was heard, that she awoke, and thinking Adah had gone down for something, bade Willie come to her.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading But it did not matter then, and for a full half hour she lay waiting for Adah’s return.

-ing form of “do” — engage in

From this reading Putting out her arms she lifted him carefully into her own bed, and in so doing brushed from her pillow the letters left for her.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading They were not early risers at Terrace Hill, and the morning following Adah’s flight Anna slept later than usual; nor was it until Willie’s cry, calling for mamma, was heard, that she awoke, and thinking Adah had gone down for something, bade Willie come to her.

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading They were not early risers at Terrace Hill, and the morning following Adah’s flight Anna slept later than usual; nor was it until Willie’s cry, calling for mamma, was heard, that she awoke, and thinking Adah had gone down for something, bade Willie come to her.

a flat (usually rectangular) container for a letter, thin package, etc.

From this reading Anna had hardly been human had she waited an instant ere she tore open the envelope and learned that Charlie had returned from India and had not forgotten her.

an old word for “before”

From this reading Anna had hardly been human had she waited an instant ere she tore open the envelope and learned that Charlie had returned from India and had not forgotten her.

past form of “examine” — consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning

From this reading Growing impatient at last, she stepped upon the floor, her bare feet touching something cold, something which made her look down and find that she was stepping on a letter—not one, but two—and in wondering surprise she turned them to the light, half fainting with excitement, when on the back of the first one examined, she saw the old familiar handwriting, and knew that Charlie had written.

the feeling of lively and cheerful joy

From this reading Growing impatient at last, she stepped upon the floor, her bare feet touching something cold, something which made her look down and find that she was stepping on a letter—not one, but two—and in wondering surprise she turned them to the light, half fainting with excitement, when on the back of the first one examined, she saw the old familiar handwriting, and knew that Charlie had written.

-ing form of “faint” — pass out from weakness, physical or emotional distress due to a loss of blood supply to the brain

From this reading Growing impatient at last, she stepped upon the floor, her bare feet touching something cold, something which made her look down and find that she was stepping on a letter—not one, but two—and in wondering surprise she turned them to the light, half fainting with excitement, when on the back of the first one examined, she saw the old familiar handwriting, and knew that Charlie had written.

well known or easily recognized

From this reading Growing impatient at last, she stepped upon the floor, her bare feet touching something cold, something which made her look down and find that she was stepping on a letter—not one, but two—and in wondering surprise she turned them to the light, half fainting with excitement, when on the back of the first one examined, she saw the old familiar handwriting, and knew that Charlie had written.

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

From this reading Growing impatient at last, she stepped upon the floor, her bare feet touching something cold, something which made her look down and find that she was stepping on a letter—not one, but two—and in wondering surprise she turned them to the light, half fainting with excitement, when on the back of the first one examined, she saw the old familiar handwriting, and knew that Charlie had written.

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading Growing impatient at last, she stepped upon the floor, her bare feet touching something cold, something which made her look down and find that she was stepping on a letter—not one, but two—and in wondering surprise she turned them to the light, half fainting with excitement, when on the back of the first one examined, she saw the old familiar handwriting, and knew that Charlie had written.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading Growing impatient at last, she stepped upon the floor, her bare feet touching something cold, something which made her look down and find that she was stepping on a letter—not one, but two—and in wondering surprise she turned them to the light, half fainting with excitement, when on the back of the first one examined, she saw the old familiar handwriting, and knew that Charlie had written.

a formation of aircraft in flight

From this reading They were not early risers at Terrace Hill, and the morning following Adah’s flight Anna slept later than usual; nor was it until Willie’s cry, calling for mamma, was heard, that she awoke, and thinking Adah had gone down for something, bade Willie come to her.

the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)

From this reading Growing impatient at last, she stepped upon the floor, her bare feet touching something cold, something which made her look down and find that she was stepping on a letter—not one, but two—and in wondering surprise she turned them to the light, half fainting with excitement, when on the back of the first one examined, she saw the old familiar handwriting, and knew that Charlie had written.

about to be mentioned or specified

From this reading They were not early risers at Terrace Hill, and the morning following Adah’s flight Anna slept later than usual; nor was it until Willie’s cry, calling for mamma, was heard, that she awoke, and thinking Adah had gone down for something, bade Willie come to her.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading They were not early risers at Terrace Hill, and the morning following Adah’s flight Anna slept later than usual; nor was it until Willie’s cry, calling for mamma, was heard, that she awoke, and thinking Adah had gone down for something, bade Willie come to her.

Not remembered; lapsed from memory.

From this reading Anna had hardly been human had she waited an instant ere she tore open the envelope and learned that Charlie had returned from India and had not forgotten her.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Putting out her arms she lifted him carefully into her own bed, and in so doing brushed from her pillow the letters left for her.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading But it did not matter then, and for a full half hour she lay waiting for Adah’s return.

destroyed or killed

From this reading They were not early risers at Terrace Hill, and the morning following Adah’s flight Anna slept later than usual; nor was it until Willie’s cry, calling for mamma, was heard, that she awoke, and thinking Adah had gone down for something, bade Willie come to her.

(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level

From this reading Growing impatient at last, she stepped upon the floor, her bare feet touching something cold, something which made her look down and find that she was stepping on a letter—not one, but two—and in wondering surprise she turned them to the light, half fainting with excitement, when on the back of the first one examined, she saw the old familiar handwriting, and knew that Charlie had written.

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

From this reading They were not early risers at Terrace Hill, and the morning following Adah’s flight Anna slept later than usual; nor was it until Willie’s cry, calling for mamma, was heard, that she awoke, and thinking Adah had gone down for something, bade Willie come to her.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading But it did not matter then, and for a full half hour she lay waiting for Adah’s return.

something written by hand

From this reading Growing impatient at last, she stepped upon the floor, her bare feet touching something cold, something which made her look down and find that she was stepping on a letter—not one, but two—and in wondering surprise she turned them to the light, half fainting with excitement, when on the back of the first one examined, she saw the old familiar handwriting, and knew that Charlie had written.

only a very short time before

From this reading Anna had hardly been human had she waited an instant ere she tore open the envelope and learned that Charlie had returned from India and had not forgotten her.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading They were not early risers at Terrace Hill, and the morning following Adah’s flight Anna slept later than usual; nor was it until Willie’s cry, calling for mamma, was heard, that she awoke, and thinking Adah had gone down for something, bade Willie come to her.

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

From this reading They were not early risers at Terrace Hill, and the morning following Adah’s flight Anna slept later than usual; nor was it until Willie’s cry, calling for mamma, was heard, that she awoke, and thinking Adah had gone down for something, bade Willie come to her.

a local and well-defined elevation of the land

From this reading They were not early risers at Terrace Hill, and the morning following Adah’s flight Anna slept later than usual; nor was it until Willie’s cry, calling for mamma, was heard, that she awoke, and thinking Adah had gone down for something, bade Willie come to her.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Putting out her arms she lifted him carefully into her own bed, and in so doing brushed from her pillow the letters left for her.

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading But it did not matter then, and for a full half hour she lay waiting for Adah’s return.

characteristic of humanity

From this reading Anna had hardly been human had she waited an instant ere she tore open the envelope and learned that Charlie had returned from India and had not forgotten her.

restless or short-tempered under delay or opposition

From this reading Growing impatient at last, she stepped upon the floor, her bare feet touching something cold, something which made her look down and find that she was stepping on a letter—not one, but two—and in wondering surprise she turned them to the light, half fainting with excitement, when on the back of the first one examined, she saw the old familiar handwriting, and knew that Charlie had written.

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

From this reading Putting out her arms she lifted him carefully into her own bed, and in so doing brushed from her pillow the letters left for her.

a republic in the Asian subcontinent in southern Asia; second most populous country in the world; achieved independence from the United Kingdom in 1947

From this reading Anna had hardly been human had she waited an instant ere she tore open the envelope and learned that Charlie had returned from India and had not forgotten her.

a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)

From this reading Anna had hardly been human had she waited an instant ere she tore open the envelope and learned that Charlie had returned from India and had not forgotten her.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Putting out her arms she lifted him carefully into her own bed, and in so doing brushed from her pillow the letters left for her.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading They were not early risers at Terrace Hill, and the morning following Adah’s flight Anna slept later than usual; nor was it until Willie’s cry, calling for mamma, was heard, that she awoke, and thinking Adah had gone down for something, bade Willie come to her.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading Growing impatient at last, she stepped upon the floor, her bare feet touching something cold, something which made her look down and find that she was stepping on a letter—not one, but two—and in wondering surprise she turned them to the light, half fainting with excitement, when on the back of the first one examined, she saw the old familiar handwriting, and knew that Charlie had written.

immediately past

From this reading Growing impatient at last, she stepped upon the floor, her bare feet touching something cold, something which made her look down and find that she was stepping on a letter—not one, but two—and in wondering surprise she turned them to the light, half fainting with excitement, when on the back of the first one examined, she saw the old familiar handwriting, and knew that Charlie had written.

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading They were not early risers at Terrace Hill, and the morning following Adah’s flight Anna slept later than usual; nor was it until Willie’s cry, calling for mamma, was heard, that she awoke, and thinking Adah had gone down for something, bade Willie come to her.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading But it did not matter then, and for a full half hour she lay waiting for Adah’s return.

having or showing profound knowledge

From this reading Anna had hardly been human had she waited an instant ere she tore open the envelope and learned that Charlie had returned from India and had not forgotten her.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading Putting out her arms she lifted him carefully into her own bed, and in so doing brushed from her pillow the letters left for her.

a written message addressed to a person or organization

From this reading Growing impatient at last, she stepped upon the floor, her bare feet touching something cold, something which made her look down and find that she was stepping on a letter—not one, but two—and in wondering surprise she turned them to the light, half fainting with excitement, when on the back of the first one examined, she saw the old familiar handwriting, and knew that Charlie had written.

the literary culture

From this reading Putting out her arms she lifted him carefully into her own bed, and in so doing brushed from her pillow the letters left for her.

held up in the air

From this reading Putting out her arms she lifted him carefully into her own bed, and in so doing brushed from her pillow the letters left for her.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading Growing impatient at last, she stepped upon the floor, her bare feet touching something cold, something which made her look down and find that she was stepping on a letter—not one, but two—and in wondering surprise she turned them to the light, half fainting with excitement, when on the back of the first one examined, she saw the old familiar handwriting, and knew that Charlie had written.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading Growing impatient at last, she stepped upon the floor, her bare feet touching something cold, something which made her look down and find that she was stepping on a letter—not one, but two—and in wondering surprise she turned them to the light, half fainting with excitement, when on the back of the first one examined, she saw the old familiar handwriting, and knew that Charlie had written.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Growing impatient at last, she stepped upon the floor, her bare feet touching something cold, something which made her look down and find that she was stepping on a letter—not one, but two—and in wondering surprise she turned them to the light, half fainting with excitement, when on the back of the first one examined, she saw the old familiar handwriting, and knew that Charlie had written.

informal terms for a mother

From this reading They were not early risers at Terrace Hill, and the morning following Adah’s flight Anna slept later than usual; nor was it until Willie’s cry, calling for mamma, was heard, that she awoke, and thinking Adah had gone down for something, bade Willie come to her.

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading But it did not matter then, and for a full half hour she lay waiting for Adah’s return.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading They were not early risers at Terrace Hill, and the morning following Adah’s flight Anna slept later than usual; nor was it until Willie’s cry, calling for mamma, was heard, that she awoke, and thinking Adah had gone down for something, bade Willie come to her.

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

From this reading They were not early risers at Terrace Hill, and the morning following Adah’s flight Anna slept later than usual; nor was it until Willie’s cry, calling for mamma, was heard, that she awoke, and thinking Adah had gone down for something, bade Willie come to her.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading They were not early risers at Terrace Hill, and the morning following Adah’s flight Anna slept later than usual; nor was it until Willie’s cry, calling for mamma, was heard, that she awoke, and thinking Adah had gone down for something, bade Willie come to her.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Growing impatient at last, she stepped upon the floor, her bare feet touching something cold, something which made her look down and find that she was stepping on a letter—not one, but two—and in wondering surprise she turned them to the light, half fainting with excitement, when on the back of the first one examined, she saw the old familiar handwriting, and knew that Charlie had written.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading Growing impatient at last, she stepped upon the floor, her bare feet touching something cold, something which made her look down and find that she was stepping on a letter—not one, but two—and in wondering surprise she turned them to the light, half fainting with excitement, when on the back of the first one examined, she saw the old familiar handwriting, and knew that Charlie had written.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Growing impatient at last, she stepped upon the floor, her bare feet touching something cold, something which made her look down and find that she was stepping on a letter—not one, but two—and in wondering surprise she turned them to the light, half fainting with excitement, when on the back of the first one examined, she saw the old familiar handwriting, and knew that Charlie had written.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Growing impatient at last, she stepped upon the floor, her bare feet touching something cold, something which made her look down and find that she was stepping on a letter—not one, but two—and in wondering surprise she turned them to the light, half fainting with excitement, when on the back of the first one examined, she saw the old familiar handwriting, and knew that Charlie had written.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading Anna had hardly been human had she waited an instant ere she tore open the envelope and learned that Charlie had returned from India and had not forgotten her.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Putting out her arms she lifted him carefully into her own bed, and in so doing brushed from her pillow the letters left for her.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading Putting out her arms she lifted him carefully into her own bed, and in so doing brushed from her pillow the letters left for her.

a cushion to support the head of a sleeping person

From this reading Putting out her arms she lifted him carefully into her own bed, and in so doing brushed from her pillow the letters left for her.

hitting a golf ball that is on the green using a putter

From this reading Putting out her arms she lifted him carefully into her own bed, and in so doing brushed from her pillow the letters left for her.

go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading But it did not matter then, and for a full half hour she lay waiting for Adah’s return.

past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading Anna had hardly been human had she waited an instant ere she tore open the envelope and learned that Charlie had returned from India and had not forgotten her.

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

From this reading They were not early risers at Terrace Hill, and the morning following Adah’s flight Anna slept later than usual; nor was it until Willie’s cry, calling for mamma, was heard, that she awoke, and thinking Adah had gone down for something, bade Willie come to her.

cut with a saw

From this reading Growing impatient at last, she stepped upon the floor, her bare feet touching something cold, something which made her look down and find that she was stepping on a letter—not one, but two—and in wondering surprise she turned them to the light, half fainting with excitement, when on the back of the first one examined, she saw the old familiar handwriting, and knew that Charlie had written.

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

From this reading They were not early risers at Terrace Hill, and the morning following Adah’s flight Anna slept later than usual; nor was it until Willie’s cry, calling for mamma, was heard, that she awoke, and thinking Adah had gone down for something, bade Willie come to her.

inflected form of “sleep” — be asleep

From this reading They were not early risers at Terrace Hill, and the morning following Adah’s flight Anna slept later than usual; nor was it until Willie’s cry, calling for mamma, was heard, that she awoke, and thinking Adah had gone down for something, bade Willie come to her.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Putting out her arms she lifted him carefully into her own bed, and in so doing brushed from her pillow the letters left for her.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading They were not early risers at Terrace Hill, and the morning following Adah’s flight Anna slept later than usual; nor was it until Willie’s cry, calling for mamma, was heard, that she awoke, and thinking Adah had gone down for something, bade Willie come to her.

inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step

From this reading Growing impatient at last, she stepped upon the floor, her bare feet touching something cold, something which made her look down and find that she was stepping on a letter—not one, but two—and in wondering surprise she turned them to the light, half fainting with excitement, when on the back of the first one examined, she saw the old familiar handwriting, and knew that Charlie had written.

inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step

From this reading Growing impatient at last, she stepped upon the floor, her bare feet touching something cold, something which made her look down and find that she was stepping on a letter—not one, but two—and in wondering surprise she turned them to the light, half fainting with excitement, when on the back of the first one examined, she saw the old familiar handwriting, and knew that Charlie had written.

the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you

From this reading Growing impatient at last, she stepped upon the floor, her bare feet touching something cold, something which made her look down and find that she was stepping on a letter—not one, but two—and in wondering surprise she turned them to the light, half fainting with excitement, when on the back of the first one examined, she saw the old familiar handwriting, and knew that Charlie had written.

usually paved outdoor area adjoining a residence

From this reading They were not early risers at Terrace Hill, and the morning following Adah’s flight Anna slept later than usual; nor was it until Willie’s cry, calling for mamma, was heard, that she awoke, and thinking Adah had gone down for something, bade Willie come to her.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading They were not early risers at Terrace Hill, and the morning following Adah’s flight Anna slept later than usual; nor was it until Willie’s cry, calling for mamma, was heard, that she awoke, and thinking Adah had gone down for something, bade Willie come to her.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading They were not early risers at Terrace Hill, and the morning following Adah’s flight Anna slept later than usual; nor was it until Willie’s cry, calling for mamma, was heard, that she awoke, and thinking Adah had gone down for something, bade Willie come to her.

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

From this reading They were not early risers at Terrace Hill, and the morning following Adah’s flight Anna slept later than usual; nor was it until Willie’s cry, calling for mamma, was heard, that she awoke, and thinking Adah had gone down for something, bade Willie come to her.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Growing impatient at last, she stepped upon the floor, her bare feet touching something cold, something which made her look down and find that she was stepping on a letter—not one, but two—and in wondering surprise she turned them to the light, half fainting with excitement, when on the back of the first one examined, she saw the old familiar handwriting, and knew that Charlie had written.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading But it did not matter then, and for a full half hour she lay waiting for Adah’s return.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading They were not early risers at Terrace Hill, and the morning following Adah’s flight Anna slept later than usual; nor was it until Willie’s cry, calling for mamma, was heard, that she awoke, and thinking Adah had gone down for something, bade Willie come to her.

the process of using your mind to consider something carefully

From this reading They were not early risers at Terrace Hill, and the morning following Adah’s flight Anna slept later than usual; nor was it until Willie’s cry, calling for mamma, was heard, that she awoke, and thinking Adah had gone down for something, bade Willie come to her.

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

From this reading They were not early risers at Terrace Hill, and the morning following Adah’s flight Anna slept later than usual; nor was it until Willie’s cry, calling for mamma, was heard, that she awoke, and thinking Adah had gone down for something, bade Willie come to her.

commonly the lowest molding at the base of a column

From this reading Anna had hardly been human had she waited an instant ere she tore open the envelope and learned that Charlie had returned from India and had not forgotten her.

arousing affect

From this reading Growing impatient at last, she stepped upon the floor, her bare feet touching something cold, something which made her look down and find that she was stepping on a letter—not one, but two—and in wondering surprise she turned them to the light, half fainting with excitement, when on the back of the first one examined, she saw the old familiar handwriting, and knew that Charlie had written.

moved around an axis or center

From this reading Growing impatient at last, she stepped upon the floor, her bare feet touching something cold, something which made her look down and find that she was stepping on a letter—not one, but two—and in wondering surprise she turned them to the light, half fainting with excitement, when on the back of the first one examined, she saw the old familiar handwriting, and knew that Charlie had written.

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

From this reading Growing impatient at last, she stepped upon the floor, her bare feet touching something cold, something which made her look down and find that she was stepping on a letter—not one, but two—and in wondering surprise she turned them to the light, half fainting with excitement, when on the back of the first one examined, she saw the old familiar handwriting, and knew that Charlie had written.

up to a particular time

From this reading They were not early risers at Terrace Hill, and the morning following Adah’s flight Anna slept later than usual; nor was it until Willie’s cry, calling for mamma, was heard, that she awoke, and thinking Adah had gone down for something, bade Willie come to her.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Growing impatient at last, she stepped upon the floor, her bare feet touching something cold, something which made her look down and find that she was stepping on a letter—not one, but two—and in wondering surprise she turned them to the light, half fainting with excitement, when on the back of the first one examined, she saw the old familiar handwriting, and knew that Charlie had written.

occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure

From this reading They were not early risers at Terrace Hill, and the morning following Adah’s flight Anna slept later than usual; nor was it until Willie’s cry, calling for mamma, was heard, that she awoke, and thinking Adah had gone down for something, bade Willie come to her.

past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something

From this reading Anna had hardly been human had she waited an instant ere she tore open the envelope and learned that Charlie had returned from India and had not forgotten her.

the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)

From this reading But it did not matter then, and for a full half hour she lay waiting for Adah’s return.

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

From this reading They were not early risers at Terrace Hill, and the morning following Adah’s flight Anna slept later than usual; nor was it until Willie’s cry, calling for mamma, was heard, that she awoke, and thinking Adah had gone down for something, bade Willie come to her.

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

From this reading They were not early risers at Terrace Hill, and the morning following Adah’s flight Anna slept later than usual; nor was it until Willie’s cry, calling for mamma, was heard, that she awoke, and thinking Adah had gone down for something, bade Willie come to her.

at the time that

From this reading Growing impatient at last, she stepped upon the floor, her bare feet touching something cold, something which made her look down and find that she was stepping on a letter—not one, but two—and in wondering surprise she turned them to the light, half fainting with excitement, when on the back of the first one examined, she saw the old familiar handwriting, and knew that Charlie had written.

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

From this reading Growing impatient at last, she stepped upon the floor, her bare feet touching something cold, something which made her look down and find that she was stepping on a letter—not one, but two—and in wondering surprise she turned them to the light, half fainting with excitement, when on the back of the first one examined, she saw the old familiar handwriting, and knew that Charlie had written.

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

From this reading They were not early risers at Terrace Hill, and the morning following Adah’s flight Anna slept later than usual; nor was it until Willie’s cry, calling for mamma, was heard, that she awoke, and thinking Adah had gone down for something, bade Willie come to her.

possessive form of “willies” — feelings of uneasiness

From this reading They were not early risers at Terrace Hill, and the morning following Adah’s flight Anna slept later than usual; nor was it until Willie’s cry, calling for mamma, was heard, that she awoke, and thinking Adah had gone down for something, bade Willie come to her.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Growing impatient at last, she stepped upon the floor, her bare feet touching something cold, something which made her look down and find that she was stepping on a letter—not one, but two—and in wondering surprise she turned them to the light, half fainting with excitement, when on the back of the first one examined, she saw the old familiar handwriting, and knew that Charlie had written.

showing curiosity

From this reading Growing impatient at last, she stepped upon the floor, her bare feet touching something cold, something which made her look down and find that she was stepping on a letter—not one, but two—and in wondering surprise she turned them to the light, half fainting with excitement, when on the back of the first one examined, she saw the old familiar handwriting, and knew that Charlie had written.

set down in writing in any of various ways

From this reading Growing impatient at last, she stepped upon the floor, her bare feet touching something cold, something which made her look down and find that she was stepping on a letter—not one, but two—and in wondering surprise she turned them to the light, half fainting with excitement, when on the back of the first one examined, she saw the old familiar handwriting, and knew that Charlie had written.