Chapter XXVII

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

From this reading NEIGHBOURLY CHAT At a late hour of this night, the young widow Cuthbert was still busy, as she had been all day, at her employment of net-making.

higher than, or over, something

From this reading As often as a little hand stirred above the coverlid, or a rosy cheek was turned upon its pillow, the anxious mother gazed and watched, and as often as the gust swept past, or a larger billow broke upon the shingle, her heart throbbed as if she was still awaiting the return of him who should never more return.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading NEIGHBOURLY CHAT At a late hour of this night, the young widow Cuthbert was still busy, as she had been all day, at her employment of net-making.

in an alternating sequence or position

From this reading The song with which she lulled her infant to sleep had long ceased, and she pursued her work in perfect silence by the dim light of her solitary lamp; her thoughts were alternately with the children who lay sleeping around her, and with the husband whose place of long repose was beneath the waters.

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

From this reading The song with which she lulled her infant to sleep had long ceased, and she pursued her work in perfect silence by the dim light of her solitary lamp; her thoughts were alternately with the children who lay sleeping around her, and with the husband whose place of long repose was beneath the waters.

eagerly desirous

From this reading As often as a little hand stirred above the coverlid, or a rosy cheek was turned upon its pillow, the anxious mother gazed and watched, and as often as the gust swept past, or a larger billow broke upon the shingle, her heart throbbed as if she was still awaiting the return of him who should never more return.

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading The song with which she lulled her infant to sleep had long ceased, and she pursued her work in perfect silence by the dim light of her solitary lamp; her thoughts were alternately with the children who lay sleeping around her, and with the husband whose place of long repose was beneath the waters.

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

From this reading NEIGHBOURLY CHAT At a late hour of this night, the young widow Cuthbert was still busy, as she had been all day, at her employment of net-making.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading NEIGHBOURLY CHAT At a late hour of this night, the young widow Cuthbert was still busy, as she had been all day, at her employment of net-making.

-ing form of “await” — look forward to the probable occurrence of

From this reading As often as a little hand stirred above the coverlid, or a rosy cheek was turned upon its pillow, the anxious mother gazed and watched, and as often as the gust swept past, or a larger billow broke upon the shingle, her heart throbbed as if she was still awaiting the return of him who should never more return.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading NEIGHBOURLY CHAT At a late hour of this night, the young widow Cuthbert was still busy, as she had been all day, at her employment of net-making.

Directly under; in or to a lower position than.

From this reading The song with which she lulled her infant to sleep had long ceased, and she pursued her work in perfect silence by the dim light of her solitary lamp; her thoughts were alternately with the children who lay sleeping around her, and with the husband whose place of long repose was beneath the waters.

rise up as if in waves

From this reading As often as a little hand stirred above the coverlid, or a rosy cheek was turned upon its pillow, the anxious mother gazed and watched, and as often as the gust swept past, or a larger billow broke upon the shingle, her heart throbbed as if she was still awaiting the return of him who should never more return.

lacking funds

From this reading As often as a little hand stirred above the coverlid, or a rosy cheek was turned upon its pillow, the anxious mother gazed and watched, and as often as the gust swept past, or a larger billow broke upon the shingle, her heart throbbed as if she was still awaiting the return of him who should never more return.

actively or fully engaged or occupied

From this reading NEIGHBOURLY CHAT At a late hour of this night, the young widow Cuthbert was still busy, as she had been all day, at her employment of net-making.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The song with which she lulled her infant to sleep had long ceased, and she pursued her work in perfect silence by the dim light of her solitary lamp; her thoughts were alternately with the children who lay sleeping around her, and with the husband whose place of long repose was beneath the waters.

past form of “cease” — put an end to a state or an activity

From this reading The song with which she lulled her infant to sleep had long ceased, and she pursued her work in perfect silence by the dim light of her solitary lamp; her thoughts were alternately with the children who lay sleeping around her, and with the husband whose place of long repose was beneath the waters.

talk socially without exchanging too much information

From this reading NEIGHBOURLY CHAT At a late hour of this night, the young widow Cuthbert was still busy, as she had been all day, at her employment of net-making.

either side of the face below the eyes

From this reading As often as a little hand stirred above the coverlid, or a rosy cheek was turned upon its pillow, the anxious mother gazed and watched, and as often as the gust swept past, or a larger billow broke upon the shingle, her heart throbbed as if she was still awaiting the return of him who should never more return.

plural of “child” — a young person of either sex

From this reading The song with which she lulled her infant to sleep had long ceased, and she pursued her work in perfect silence by the dim light of her solitary lamp; her thoughts were alternately with the children who lay sleeping around her, and with the husband whose place of long repose was beneath the waters.

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

From this reading As often as a little hand stirred above the coverlid, or a rosy cheek was turned upon its pillow, the anxious mother gazed and watched, and as often as the gust swept past, or a larger billow broke upon the shingle, her heart throbbed as if she was still awaiting the return of him who should never more return.

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

From this reading NEIGHBOURLY CHAT At a late hour of this night, the young widow Cuthbert was still busy, as she had been all day, at her employment of net-making.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading NEIGHBOURLY CHAT At a late hour of this night, the young widow Cuthbert was still busy, as she had been all day, at her employment of net-making.

lacking in light; not bright or harsh

From this reading The song with which she lulled her infant to sleep had long ceased, and she pursued her work in perfect silence by the dim light of her solitary lamp; her thoughts were alternately with the children who lay sleeping around her, and with the husband whose place of long repose was beneath the waters.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading She started, at length, on hearing a tap at her door.

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

From this reading “It is only Ella,” said a voice from the outside; and the widow hastened to open the door.

the state of being employed or having a job

From this reading NEIGHBOURLY CHAT At a late hour of this night, the young widow Cuthbert was still busy, as she had been all day, at her employment of net-making.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading “It is only Ella,” said a voice from the outside; and the widow hastened to open the door.

past form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes

From this reading As often as a little hand stirred above the coverlid, or a rosy cheek was turned upon its pillow, the anxious mother gazed and watched, and as often as the gust swept past, or a larger billow broke upon the shingle, her heart throbbed as if she was still awaiting the return of him who should never more return.

a strong current of air

From this reading As often as a little hand stirred above the coverlid, or a rosy cheek was turned upon its pillow, the anxious mother gazed and watched, and as often as the gust swept past, or a larger billow broke upon the shingle, her heart throbbed as if she was still awaiting the return of him who should never more return.

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

From this reading NEIGHBOURLY CHAT At a late hour of this night, the young widow Cuthbert was still busy, as she had been all day, at her employment of net-making.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading As often as a little hand stirred above the coverlid, or a rosy cheek was turned upon its pillow, the anxious mother gazed and watched, and as often as the gust swept past, or a larger billow broke upon the shingle, her heart throbbed as if she was still awaiting the return of him who should never more return.

past form of “hasten” — act or move at high speed

From this reading “It is only Ella,” said a voice from the outside; and the widow hastened to open the door.

(law) a proceeding (usually by a court) where evidence is taken for the purpose of determining an issue of fact and reaching a decision based on that evidence

From this reading She started, at length, on hearing a tap at her door.

the locus of feelings and intuitions

From this reading As often as a little hand stirred above the coverlid, or a rosy cheek was turned upon its pillow, the anxious mother gazed and watched, and as often as the gust swept past, or a larger billow broke upon the shingle, her heart throbbed as if she was still awaiting the return of him who should never more return.

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

From this reading NEIGHBOURLY CHAT At a late hour of this night, the young widow Cuthbert was still busy, as she had been all day, at her employment of net-making.

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

From this reading As often as a little hand stirred above the coverlid, or a rosy cheek was turned upon its pillow, the anxious mother gazed and watched, and as often as the gust swept past, or a larger billow broke upon the shingle, her heart throbbed as if she was still awaiting the return of him who should never more return.

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

From this reading NEIGHBOURLY CHAT At a late hour of this night, the young widow Cuthbert was still busy, as she had been all day, at her employment of net-making.

a married man; a woman's partner in marriage

From this reading The song with which she lulled her infant to sleep had long ceased, and she pursued her work in perfect silence by the dim light of her solitary lamp; her thoughts were alternately with the children who lay sleeping around her, and with the husband whose place of long repose was beneath the waters.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading As often as a little hand stirred above the coverlid, or a rosy cheek was turned upon its pillow, the anxious mother gazed and watched, and as often as the gust swept past, or a larger billow broke upon the shingle, her heart throbbed as if she was still awaiting the return of him who should never more return.

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

From this reading The song with which she lulled her infant to sleep had long ceased, and she pursued her work in perfect silence by the dim light of her solitary lamp; her thoughts were alternately with the children who lay sleeping around her, and with the husband whose place of long repose was beneath the waters.

a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk

From this reading The song with which she lulled her infant to sleep had long ceased, and she pursued her work in perfect silence by the dim light of her solitary lamp; her thoughts were alternately with the children who lay sleeping around her, and with the husband whose place of long repose was beneath the waters.

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

From this reading “It is only Ella,” said a voice from the outside; and the widow hastened to open the door.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading “It is only Ella,” said a voice from the outside; and the widow hastened to open the door.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading As often as a little hand stirred above the coverlid, or a rosy cheek was turned upon its pillow, the anxious mother gazed and watched, and as often as the gust swept past, or a larger billow broke upon the shingle, her heart throbbed as if she was still awaiting the return of him who should never more return.

an artificial source of visible illumination

From this reading The song with which she lulled her infant to sleep had long ceased, and she pursued her work in perfect silence by the dim light of her solitary lamp; her thoughts were alternately with the children who lay sleeping around her, and with the husband whose place of long repose was beneath the waters.

large or big relative to something else

From this reading As often as a little hand stirred above the coverlid, or a rosy cheek was turned upon its pillow, the anxious mother gazed and watched, and as often as the gust swept past, or a larger billow broke upon the shingle, her heart throbbed as if she was still awaiting the return of him who should never more return.

being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time

From this reading NEIGHBOURLY CHAT At a late hour of this night, the young widow Cuthbert was still busy, as she had been all day, at her employment of net-making.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading The song with which she lulled her infant to sleep had long ceased, and she pursued her work in perfect silence by the dim light of her solitary lamp; her thoughts were alternately with the children who lay sleeping around her, and with the husband whose place of long repose was beneath the waters.

the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place

From this reading She started, at length, on hearing a tap at her door.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading The song with which she lulled her infant to sleep had long ceased, and she pursued her work in perfect silence by the dim light of her solitary lamp; her thoughts were alternately with the children who lay sleeping around her, and with the husband whose place of long repose was beneath the waters.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading As often as a little hand stirred above the coverlid, or a rosy cheek was turned upon its pillow, the anxious mother gazed and watched, and as often as the gust swept past, or a larger billow broke upon the shingle, her heart throbbed as if she was still awaiting the return of him who should never more return.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading The song with which she lulled her infant to sleep had long ceased, and she pursued her work in perfect silence by the dim light of her solitary lamp; her thoughts were alternately with the children who lay sleeping around her, and with the husband whose place of long repose was beneath the waters.

past form of “lull” — calm by deception

From this reading The song with which she lulled her infant to sleep had long ceased, and she pursued her work in perfect silence by the dim light of her solitary lamp; her thoughts were alternately with the children who lay sleeping around her, and with the husband whose place of long repose was beneath the waters.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading As often as a little hand stirred above the coverlid, or a rosy cheek was turned upon its pillow, the anxious mother gazed and watched, and as often as the gust swept past, or a larger billow broke upon the shingle, her heart throbbed as if she was still awaiting the return of him who should never more return.

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading As often as a little hand stirred above the coverlid, or a rosy cheek was turned upon its pillow, the anxious mother gazed and watched, and as often as the gust swept past, or a larger billow broke upon the shingle, her heart throbbed as if she was still awaiting the return of him who should never more return.

exhibiting the qualities expected in a friendly neighbor

From this reading NEIGHBOURLY CHAT At a late hour of this night, the young widow Cuthbert was still busy, as she had been all day, at her employment of net-making.

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

From this reading NEIGHBOURLY CHAT At a late hour of this night, the young widow Cuthbert was still busy, as she had been all day, at her employment of net-making.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading As often as a little hand stirred above the coverlid, or a rosy cheek was turned upon its pillow, the anxious mother gazed and watched, and as often as the gust swept past, or a larger billow broke upon the shingle, her heart throbbed as if she was still awaiting the return of him who should never more return.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading NEIGHBOURLY CHAT At a late hour of this night, the young widow Cuthbert was still busy, as she had been all day, at her employment of net-making.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading NEIGHBOURLY CHAT At a late hour of this night, the young widow Cuthbert was still busy, as she had been all day, at her employment of net-making.

many times at short intervals

From this reading As often as a little hand stirred above the coverlid, or a rosy cheek was turned upon its pillow, the anxious mother gazed and watched, and as often as the gust swept past, or a larger billow broke upon the shingle, her heart throbbed as if she was still awaiting the return of him who should never more return.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading She started, at length, on hearing a tap at her door.

and nothing more

From this reading “It is only Ella,” said a voice from the outside; and the widow hastened to open the door.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading “It is only Ella,” said a voice from the outside; and the widow hastened to open the door.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading As often as a little hand stirred above the coverlid, or a rosy cheek was turned upon its pillow, the anxious mother gazed and watched, and as often as the gust swept past, or a larger billow broke upon the shingle, her heart throbbed as if she was still awaiting the return of him who should never more return.

relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit

From this reading “It is only Ella,” said a voice from the outside; and the widow hastened to open the door.

the time that has elapsed

From this reading As often as a little hand stirred above the coverlid, or a rosy cheek was turned upon its pillow, the anxious mother gazed and watched, and as often as the gust swept past, or a larger billow broke upon the shingle, her heart throbbed as if she was still awaiting the return of him who should never more return.

being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish

From this reading The song with which she lulled her infant to sleep had long ceased, and she pursued her work in perfect silence by the dim light of her solitary lamp; her thoughts were alternately with the children who lay sleeping around her, and with the husband whose place of long repose was beneath the waters.

a cushion to support the head of a sleeping person

From this reading As often as a little hand stirred above the coverlid, or a rosy cheek was turned upon its pillow, the anxious mother gazed and watched, and as often as the gust swept past, or a larger billow broke upon the shingle, her heart throbbed as if she was still awaiting the return of him who should never more return.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading The song with which she lulled her infant to sleep had long ceased, and she pursued her work in perfect silence by the dim light of her solitary lamp; her thoughts were alternately with the children who lay sleeping around her, and with the husband whose place of long repose was beneath the waters.

a person who is being chased

From this reading The song with which she lulled her infant to sleep had long ceased, and she pursued her work in perfect silence by the dim light of her solitary lamp; her thoughts were alternately with the children who lay sleeping around her, and with the husband whose place of long repose was beneath the waters.

put or confide something in a person or thing

From this reading The song with which she lulled her infant to sleep had long ceased, and she pursued her work in perfect silence by the dim light of her solitary lamp; her thoughts were alternately with the children who lay sleeping around her, and with the husband whose place of long repose was beneath the waters.

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

From this reading As often as a little hand stirred above the coverlid, or a rosy cheek was turned upon its pillow, the anxious mother gazed and watched, and as often as the gust swept past, or a larger billow broke upon the shingle, her heart throbbed as if she was still awaiting the return of him who should never more return.

reflecting optimism

From this reading As often as a little hand stirred above the coverlid, or a rosy cheek was turned upon its pillow, the anxious mother gazed and watched, and as often as the gust swept past, or a larger billow broke upon the shingle, her heart throbbed as if she was still awaiting the return of him who should never more return.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading “It is only Ella,” said a voice from the outside; and the widow hastened to open the door.

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

From this reading NEIGHBOURLY CHAT At a late hour of this night, the young widow Cuthbert was still busy, as she had been all day, at her employment of net-making.

building material used as siding or roofing

From this reading As often as a little hand stirred above the coverlid, or a rosy cheek was turned upon its pillow, the anxious mother gazed and watched, and as often as the gust swept past, or a larger billow broke upon the shingle, her heart throbbed as if she was still awaiting the return of him who should never more return.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading As often as a little hand stirred above the coverlid, or a rosy cheek was turned upon its pillow, the anxious mother gazed and watched, and as often as the gust swept past, or a larger billow broke upon the shingle, her heart throbbed as if she was still awaiting the return of him who should never more return.

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading The song with which she lulled her infant to sleep had long ceased, and she pursued her work in perfect silence by the dim light of her solitary lamp; her thoughts were alternately with the children who lay sleeping around her, and with the husband whose place of long repose was beneath the waters.

a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended

From this reading The song with which she lulled her infant to sleep had long ceased, and she pursued her work in perfect silence by the dim light of her solitary lamp; her thoughts were alternately with the children who lay sleeping around her, and with the husband whose place of long repose was beneath the waters.

the state of being asleep

From this reading The song with which she lulled her infant to sleep had long ceased, and she pursued her work in perfect silence by the dim light of her solitary lamp; her thoughts were alternately with the children who lay sleeping around her, and with the husband whose place of long repose was beneath the waters.

characterized by or preferring solitude

From this reading The song with which she lulled her infant to sleep had long ceased, and she pursued her work in perfect silence by the dim light of her solitary lamp; her thoughts were alternately with the children who lay sleeping around her, and with the husband whose place of long repose was beneath the waters.

a short musical composition with words

From this reading The song with which she lulled her infant to sleep had long ceased, and she pursued her work in perfect silence by the dim light of her solitary lamp; her thoughts were alternately with the children who lay sleeping around her, and with the husband whose place of long repose was beneath the waters.

past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading She started, at length, on hearing a tap at her door.

not in physical motion

From this reading NEIGHBOURLY CHAT At a late hour of this night, the young widow Cuthbert was still busy, as she had been all day, at her employment of net-making.

being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion

From this reading As often as a little hand stirred above the coverlid, or a rosy cheek was turned upon its pillow, the anxious mother gazed and watched, and as often as the gust swept past, or a larger billow broke upon the shingle, her heart throbbed as if she was still awaiting the return of him who should never more return.

possessing sweep

From this reading As often as a little hand stirred above the coverlid, or a rosy cheek was turned upon its pillow, the anxious mother gazed and watched, and as often as the gust swept past, or a larger billow broke upon the shingle, her heart throbbed as if she was still awaiting the return of him who should never more return.

cut a female screw thread with a tap

From this reading She started, at length, on hearing a tap at her door.

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

From this reading NEIGHBOURLY CHAT At a late hour of this night, the young widow Cuthbert was still busy, as she had been all day, at her employment of net-making.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading NEIGHBOURLY CHAT At a late hour of this night, the young widow Cuthbert was still busy, as she had been all day, at her employment of net-making.

plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading The song with which she lulled her infant to sleep had long ceased, and she pursued her work in perfect silence by the dim light of her solitary lamp; her thoughts were alternately with the children who lay sleeping around her, and with the husband whose place of long repose was beneath the waters.

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

From this reading As often as a little hand stirred above the coverlid, or a rosy cheek was turned upon its pillow, the anxious mother gazed and watched, and as often as the gust swept past, or a larger billow broke upon the shingle, her heart throbbed as if she was still awaiting the return of him who should never more return.

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

From this reading The song with which she lulled her infant to sleep had long ceased, and she pursued her work in perfect silence by the dim light of her solitary lamp; her thoughts were alternately with the children who lay sleeping around her, and with the husband whose place of long repose was beneath the waters.

moved around an axis or center

From this reading As often as a little hand stirred above the coverlid, or a rosy cheek was turned upon its pillow, the anxious mother gazed and watched, and as often as the gust swept past, or a larger billow broke upon the shingle, her heart throbbed as if she was still awaiting the return of him who should never more return.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading As often as a little hand stirred above the coverlid, or a rosy cheek was turned upon its pillow, the anxious mother gazed and watched, and as often as the gust swept past, or a larger billow broke upon the shingle, her heart throbbed as if she was still awaiting the return of him who should never more return.

the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading “It is only Ella,” said a voice from the outside; and the widow hastened to open the door.

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

From this reading NEIGHBOURLY CHAT At a late hour of this night, the young widow Cuthbert was still busy, as she had been all day, at her employment of net-making.

past form of “watch” — look attentively

From this reading As often as a little hand stirred above the coverlid, or a rosy cheek was turned upon its pillow, the anxious mother gazed and watched, and as often as the gust swept past, or a larger billow broke upon the shingle, her heart throbbed as if she was still awaiting the return of him who should never more return.

United States actress and singer (1896-1977)

From this reading The song with which she lulled her infant to sleep had long ceased, and she pursued her work in perfect silence by the dim light of her solitary lamp; her thoughts were alternately with the children who lay sleeping around her, and with the husband whose place of long repose was beneath the waters.

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

From this reading The song with which she lulled her infant to sleep had long ceased, and she pursued her work in perfect silence by the dim light of her solitary lamp; her thoughts were alternately with the children who lay sleeping around her, and with the husband whose place of long repose was beneath the waters.

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

From this reading The song with which she lulled her infant to sleep had long ceased, and she pursued her work in perfect silence by the dim light of her solitary lamp; her thoughts were alternately with the children who lay sleeping around her, and with the husband whose place of long repose was beneath the waters.

which person or people

From this reading The song with which she lulled her infant to sleep had long ceased, and she pursued her work in perfect silence by the dim light of her solitary lamp; her thoughts were alternately with the children who lay sleeping around her, and with the husband whose place of long repose was beneath the waters.

belonging to which person

From this reading The song with which she lulled her infant to sleep had long ceased, and she pursued her work in perfect silence by the dim light of her solitary lamp; her thoughts were alternately with the children who lay sleeping around her, and with the husband whose place of long repose was beneath the waters.

a woman whose husband is dead especially one who has not remarried

From this reading NEIGHBOURLY CHAT At a late hour of this night, the young widow Cuthbert was still busy, as she had been all day, at her employment of net-making.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The song with which she lulled her infant to sleep had long ceased, and she pursued her work in perfect silence by the dim light of her solitary lamp; her thoughts were alternately with the children who lay sleeping around her, and with the husband whose place of long repose was beneath the waters.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading The song with which she lulled her infant to sleep had long ceased, and she pursued her work in perfect silence by the dim light of her solitary lamp; her thoughts were alternately with the children who lay sleeping around her, and with the husband whose place of long repose was beneath the waters.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading NEIGHBOURLY CHAT At a late hour of this night, the young widow Cuthbert was still busy, as she had been all day, at her employment of net-making.