used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE HUMAN TOUCH Three days later Jan got a note from Peter telling her that Hugo Tancred had left Bombay and was probably leaving India at once from one of the smaller ports.
AboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading About midnight the nurse, who had been standing by the bed with her finger on Fay's pulse, moved suddenly and gently laid down the weak hand she had been holding.
(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 Early in the morning, just a week from the time Jan had seen Hugo Tancred at the window of that tall house near the cotton green, Fay's third child, a girl, was still-born; and Fay, herself, never recovered consciousness all day.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE HUMAN TOUCH Three days later Jan got a note from Peter telling her that Hugo Tancred had left Bombay and was probably leaving India at once from one of the smaller ports.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE HUMAN TOUCH Three days later Jan got a note from Peter telling her that Hugo Tancred had left Bombay and was probably leaving India at once from one of the smaller ports.
tried unsuccessfully
From this reading He had not attempted to communicate in person or by letter with either Jan or his wife.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading About midnight the nurse, who had been standing by the bed with her finger on Fay's pulse, moved suddenly and gently laid down the weak hand she had been holding.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading A most competent nurse had been in the house nearly a week, the doctor had done all that human skill could do, but Fay continued to sink rapidly.
BombaynounUS /bɑːmˈbeɪ/
a city in western India just off the coast of the Arabian Sea; India's 2nd largest city (after Calcutta); has the only natural deep-water harbor in western India
From this reading THE HUMAN TOUCH Three days later Jan got a note from Peter telling her that Hugo Tancred had left Bombay and was probably leaving India at once from one of the smaller ports.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading A most competent nurse had been in the house nearly a week, the doctor had done all that human skill could do, but Fay continued to sink rapidly.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He had not attempted to communicate in person or by letter with either Jan or his wife.
a young person of either sex
From this reading Early in the morning, just a week from the time Jan had seen Hugo Tancred at the window of that tall house near the cotton green, Fay's third child, a girl, was still-born; and Fay, herself, never recovered consciousness all day.
communicateverbUS /kəˈmjuːnəkeɪt/
transmit information
From this reading He had not attempted to communicate in person or by letter with either Jan or his wife.
competentadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːmpətɪnt/
properly or sufficiently qualified or capable or efficient
From this reading A most competent nurse had been in the house nearly a week, the doctor had done all that human skill could do, but Fay continued to sink rapidly.
an alert cognitive state in which you are aware of yourself and your situation
From this reading Early in the morning, just a week from the time Jan had seen Hugo Tancred at the window of that tall house near the cotton green, Fay's third child, a girl, was still-born; and Fay, herself, never recovered consciousness all day.
without stop or interruption
From this reading A most competent nurse had been in the house nearly a week, the doctor had done all that human skill could do, but Fay continued to sink rapidly.
cottonnounUS /ˈkɑːtən/
soft silky fibers from cotton plants in their raw state
From this reading Early in the morning, just a week from the time Jan had seen Hugo Tancred at the window of that tall house near the cotton green, Fay's third child, a girl, was still-born; and Fay, herself, never recovered consciousness all day.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading A most competent nurse had been in the house nearly a week, the doctor had done all that human skill could do, but Fay continued to sink rapidly.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Early in the morning, just a week from the time Jan had seen Hugo Tancred at the window of that tall house near the cotton green, Fay's third child, a girl, was still-born; and Fay, herself, never recovered consciousness all day.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading THE HUMAN TOUCH Three days later Jan got a note from Peter telling her that Hugo Tancred had left Bombay and was probably leaving India at once from one of the smaller ports.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading A most competent nurse had been in the house nearly a week, the doctor had done all that human skill could do, but Fay continued to sink rapidly.
a licensed medical practitioner
From this reading A most competent nurse had been in the house nearly a week, the doctor had done all that human skill could do, but Fay continued to sink rapidly.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading A most competent nurse had been in the house nearly a week, the doctor had done all that human skill could do, but Fay continued to sink rapidly.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading About midnight the nurse, who had been standing by the bed with her finger on Fay's pulse, moved suddenly and gently laid down the weak hand she had been holding.
EarlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading Early in the morning, just a week from the time Jan had seen Hugo Tancred at the window of that tall house near the cotton green, Fay's third child, a girl, was still-born; and Fay, herself, never recovered consciousness all day.
one or the other of two
From this reading He had not attempted to communicate in person or by letter with either Jan or his wife.
FaynounUS /feɪ/
a small being, human in form, playful and having magical powers
From this reading Early in the morning, just a week from the time Jan had seen Hugo Tancred at the window of that tall house near the cotton green, Fay's third child, a girl, was still-born; and Fay, herself, never recovered consciousness all day.
Fay'snounUS /feɪz/
possessive form of “fay” — a small being, human in form, playful and having magical powers
From this reading Early in the morning, just a week from the time Jan had seen Hugo Tancred at the window of that tall house near the cotton green, Fay's third child, a girl, was still-born; and Fay, herself, never recovered consciousness all day.
feel or handle with the fingers
From this reading About midnight the nurse, who had been standing by the bed with her finger on Fay's pulse, moved suddenly and gently laid down the weak hand she had been holding.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading THE HUMAN TOUCH Three days later Jan got a note from Peter telling her that Hugo Tancred had left Bombay and was probably leaving India at once from one of the smaller ports.
in a gradual manner
From this reading About midnight the nurse, who had been standing by the bed with her finger on Fay's pulse, moved suddenly and gently laid down the weak hand she had been holding.
a young female
From this reading Early in the morning, just a week from the time Jan had seen Hugo Tancred at the window of that tall house near the cotton green, Fay's third child, a girl, was still-born; and Fay, herself, never recovered consciousness all day.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading THE HUMAN TOUCH Three days later Jan got a note from Peter telling her that Hugo Tancred had left Bombay and was probably leaving India at once from one of the smaller ports.
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading Early in the morning, just a week from the time Jan had seen Hugo Tancred at the window of that tall house near the cotton green, Fay's third child, a girl, was still-born; and Fay, herself, never recovered consciousness all day.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE HUMAN TOUCH Three days later Jan got a note from Peter telling her that Hugo Tancred had left Bombay and was probably leaving India at once from one of the smaller ports.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading About midnight the nurse, who had been standing by the bed with her finger on Fay's pulse, moved suddenly and gently laid down the weak hand she had been holding.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had not attempted to communicate in person or by letter with either Jan or his wife.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading THE HUMAN TOUCH Three days later Jan got a note from Peter telling her that Hugo Tancred had left Bombay and was probably leaving India at once from one of the smaller ports.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading Early in the morning, just a week from the time Jan had seen Hugo Tancred at the window of that tall house near the cotton green, Fay's third child, a girl, was still-born; and Fay, herself, never recovered consciousness all day.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He had not attempted to communicate in person or by letter with either Jan or his wife.
the act of retaining something
From this reading About midnight the nurse, who had been standing by the bed with her finger on Fay's pulse, moved suddenly and gently laid down the weak hand she had been holding.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Early in the morning, just a week from the time Jan had seen Hugo Tancred at the window of that tall house near the cotton green, Fay's third child, a girl, was still-born; and Fay, herself, never recovered consciousness all day.
HugonounUS /ˈhjuːɡoʊ/
French poet and novelist and dramatist; leader of the romantic movement in France (1802-1885)
From this reading THE HUMAN TOUCH Three days later Jan got a note from Peter telling her that Hugo Tancred had left Bombay and was probably leaving India at once from one of the smaller ports.
HUMANadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading THE HUMAN TOUCH Three days later Jan got a note from Peter telling her that Hugo Tancred had left Bombay and was probably leaving India at once from one of the smaller ports.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He had not attempted to communicate in person or by letter with either Jan or his wife.
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 THE HUMAN TOUCH Three days later Jan got a note from Peter telling her that Hugo Tancred had left Bombay and was probably leaving India at once from one of the smaller ports.
JannounUS /dʒæn/
the first month of the year; begins 10 days after the winter solstice
From this reading THE HUMAN TOUCH Three days later Jan got a note from Peter telling her that Hugo Tancred had left Bombay and was probably leaving India at once from one of the smaller ports.
and nothing more
From this reading Early in the morning, just a week from the time Jan had seen Hugo Tancred at the window of that tall house near the cotton green, Fay's third child, a girl, was still-born; and Fay, herself, never recovered consciousness all day.
set down according to a plan
From this reading About midnight the nurse, who had been standing by the bed with her finger on Fay's pulse, moved suddenly and gently laid down the weak hand she had been holding.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading THE HUMAN TOUCH Three days later Jan got a note from Peter telling her that Hugo Tancred had left Bombay and was probably leaving India at once from one of the smaller ports.
the act of departing
From this reading THE HUMAN TOUCH Three days later Jan got a note from Peter telling her that Hugo Tancred had left Bombay and was probably leaving India at once from one of the smaller ports.
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 THE HUMAN TOUCH Three days later Jan got a note from Peter telling her that Hugo Tancred had left Bombay and was probably leaving India at once from one of the smaller ports.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading He had not attempted to communicate in person or by letter with either Jan or his wife.
12 o'clock at night; the middle of the night
From this reading About midnight the nurse, who had been standing by the bed with her finger on Fay's pulse, moved suddenly and gently laid down the weak hand she had been holding.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading Early in the morning, just a week from the time Jan had seen Hugo Tancred at the window of that tall house near the cotton green, Fay's third child, a girl, was still-born; and Fay, herself, never recovered consciousness all day.
used to form the superlative
From this reading A most competent nurse had been in the house nearly a week, the doctor had done all that human skill could do, but Fay continued to sink rapidly.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading About midnight the nurse, who had been standing by the bed with her finger on Fay's pulse, moved suddenly and gently laid down the weak hand she had been holding.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading Early in the morning, just a week from the time Jan had seen Hugo Tancred at the window of that tall house near the cotton green, Fay's third child, a girl, was still-born; and Fay, herself, never recovered consciousness all day.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading A most competent nurse had been in the house nearly a week, the doctor had done all that human skill could do, but Fay continued to sink rapidly.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Early in the morning, just a week from the time Jan had seen Hugo Tancred at the window of that tall house near the cotton green, Fay's third child, a girl, was still-born; and Fay, herself, never recovered consciousness all day.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He had not attempted to communicate in person or by letter with either Jan or his wife.
a brief written record
From this reading THE HUMAN TOUCH Three days later Jan got a note from Peter telling her that Hugo Tancred had left Bombay and was probably leaving India at once from one of the smaller ports.
try to cure by special care of treatment, of an illness or injury
From this reading A most competent nurse had been in the house nearly a week, the doctor had done all that human skill could do, but Fay continued to sink rapidly.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE HUMAN TOUCH Three days later Jan got a note from Peter telling her that Hugo Tancred had left Bombay and was probably leaving India at once from one of the smaller ports.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading About midnight the nurse, who had been standing by the bed with her finger on Fay's pulse, moved suddenly and gently laid down the weak hand she had been holding.
on one occasion
From this reading THE HUMAN TOUCH Three days later Jan got a note from Peter telling her that Hugo Tancred had left Bombay and was probably leaving India at once from one of the smaller ports.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading THE HUMAN TOUCH Three days later Jan got a note from Peter telling her that Hugo Tancred had left Bombay and was probably leaving India at once from one of the smaller ports.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading He had not attempted to communicate in person or by letter with either Jan or his wife.
a human being
From this reading He had not attempted to communicate in person or by letter with either Jan or his wife.
disciple of Jesus and leader of the Apostles; regarded by Catholics as the vicar of Christ on earth and first Pope
From this reading THE HUMAN TOUCH Three days later Jan got a note from Peter telling her that Hugo Tancred had left Bombay and was probably leaving India at once from one of the smaller ports.
portsnounUS /pɔːrts/
plural of “port” — a place (seaport or airport) where people and merchandise can enter or leave a country
From this reading THE HUMAN TOUCH Three days later Jan got a note from Peter telling her that Hugo Tancred had left Bombay and was probably leaving India at once from one of the smaller ports.
with considerable certainty; without much doubt
From this reading THE HUMAN TOUCH Three days later Jan got a note from Peter telling her that Hugo Tancred had left Bombay and was probably leaving India at once from one of the smaller ports.
pulsenounUS /pʌls/
(electronics) a sharp transient wave in the normal electrical state (or a series of such transients)
From this reading About midnight the nurse, who had been standing by the bed with her finger on Fay's pulse, moved suddenly and gently laid down the weak hand she had been holding.
with speed
From this reading A most competent nurse had been in the house nearly a week, the doctor had done all that human skill could do, but Fay continued to sink rapidly.
freed from illness or injury
From this reading Early in the morning, just a week from the time Jan had seen Hugo Tancred at the window of that tall house near the cotton green, Fay's third child, a girl, was still-born; and Fay, herself, never recovered consciousness all day.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Early in the morning, just a week from the time Jan had seen Hugo Tancred at the window of that tall house near the cotton green, Fay's third child, a girl, was still-born; and Fay, herself, never recovered consciousness all day.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading About midnight the nurse, who had been standing by the bed with her finger on Fay's pulse, moved suddenly and gently laid down the weak hand she had been holding.
sinkverbUS /sɪŋk/
fall or descend to a lower place or level
From this reading A most competent nurse had been in the house nearly a week, the doctor had done all that human skill could do, but Fay continued to sink rapidly.
an ability that has been acquired by training
From this reading A most competent nurse had been in the house nearly a week, the doctor had done all that human skill could do, but Fay continued to sink rapidly.
small or little relative to something else
From this reading THE HUMAN TOUCH Three days later Jan got a note from Peter telling her that Hugo Tancred had left Bombay and was probably leaving India at once from one of the smaller ports.
having a supporting base
From this reading About midnight the nurse, who had been standing by the bed with her finger on Fay's pulse, moved suddenly and gently laid down the weak hand she had been holding.
still-born
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Early in the morning, just a week from the time Jan had seen Hugo Tancred at the window of that tall house near the cotton green, Fay's third child, a girl, was still-born; and Fay, herself, never recovered consciousness all day.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading About midnight the nurse, who had been standing by the bed with her finger on Fay's pulse, moved suddenly and gently laid down the weak hand she had been holding.
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading Early in the morning, just a week from the time Jan had seen Hugo Tancred at the window of that tall house near the cotton green, Fay's third child, a girl, was still-born; and Fay, herself, never recovered consciousness all day.
Tancrednoun
Norman leader in the First Crusade who played an important role in the capture of Jerusalem (1078-1112)
From this reading THE HUMAN TOUCH Three days later Jan got a note from Peter telling her that Hugo Tancred had left Bombay and was probably leaving India at once from one of the smaller ports.
disclosing unintentionally something concealed
From this reading THE HUMAN TOUCH Three days later Jan got a note from Peter telling her that Hugo Tancred had left Bombay and was probably leaving India at once from one of the smaller ports.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE HUMAN TOUCH Three days later Jan got a note from Peter telling her that Hugo Tancred had left Bombay and was probably leaving India at once from one of the smaller ports.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE HUMAN TOUCH Three days later Jan got a note from Peter telling her that Hugo Tancred had left Bombay and was probably leaving India at once from one of the smaller ports.
one of three equal parts of a divisible whole
From this reading Early in the morning, just a week from the time Jan had seen Hugo Tancred at the window of that tall house near the cotton green, Fay's third child, a girl, was still-born; and Fay, herself, never recovered consciousness all day.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading THE HUMAN TOUCH Three days later Jan got a note from Peter telling her that Hugo Tancred had left Bombay and was probably leaving India at once from one of the smaller ports.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Early in the morning, just a week from the time Jan had seen Hugo Tancred at the window of that tall house near the cotton green, Fay's third child, a girl, was still-born; and Fay, herself, never recovered consciousness all day.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He had not attempted to communicate in person or by letter with either Jan or his wife.
make physical contact with, come in contact with
From this reading THE HUMAN TOUCH Three days later Jan got a note from Peter telling her that Hugo Tancred had left Bombay and was probably leaving India at once from one of the smaller ports.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE HUMAN TOUCH Three days later Jan got a note from Peter telling her that Hugo Tancred had left Bombay and was probably leaving India at once from one of the smaller ports.
wanting in physical strength
From this reading About midnight the nurse, who had been standing by the bed with her finger on Fay's pulse, moved suddenly and gently laid down the weak hand she had been holding.
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading Early in the morning, just a week from the time Jan had seen Hugo Tancred at the window of that tall house near the cotton green, Fay's third child, a girl, was still-born; and Fay, herself, never recovered consciousness all day.
which person or people
From this reading About midnight the nurse, who had been standing by the bed with her finger on Fay's pulse, moved suddenly and gently laid down the weak hand she had been holding.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading He had not attempted to communicate in person or by letter with either Jan or his wife.
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading Early in the morning, just a week from the time Jan had seen Hugo Tancred at the window of that tall house near the cotton green, Fay's third child, a girl, was still-born; and Fay, herself, never recovered consciousness all day.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He had not attempted to communicate in person or by letter with either Jan or his wife.
