used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading But now a new emotion filled his heart and weighed down his spirit.
(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 He had told the squire all his misery; his debt to the storekeeper, to the landlord, to Sarah Ann, to Katy, to the coal dealer, to the jeweler, to the tailor.
ALVIN
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ALVIN DOES PENANCE AND IS SHRIVEN THE squire stayed for fifteen minutes with Alvin Koehler; when he left, Alvin was limp; he sat in his little house and wept.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading ALVIN DOES PENANCE AND IS SHRIVEN THE squire stayed for fifteen minutes with Alvin Koehler; when he left, Alvin was limp; he sat in his little house and wept.
Ann
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had told the squire all his misery; his debt to the storekeeper, to the landlord, to Sarah Ann, to Katy, to the coal dealer, to the jeweler, to the tailor.
feeling shame or guilt or embarrassment or remorse
From this reading He was now, for the first time, bitterly ashamed.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Hitherto in his life Alvin had had grave difficulties; he had been unhappy in his poverty; he had been embarrassed by the queerness of his father; he had been disturbed when he feared that Katy Gaumer would not keep her promise and help him go to school; he had been terrified by the behavior of the Millerstown children and by the overshadowing cloud of his unpaid bills.
behaviornounUS /bɪˈheɪvjər/
manner of acting or controlling yourself
From this reading Hitherto in his life Alvin had had grave difficulties; he had been unhappy in his poverty; he had been embarrassed by the queerness of his father; he had been disturbed when he feared that Katy Gaumer would not keep her promise and help him go to school; he had been terrified by the behavior of the Millerstown children and by the overshadowing cloud of his unpaid bills.
billsnounUS /bɪlz/
plural of “bill” — a statute in draft before it becomes law
From this reading Hitherto in his life Alvin had had grave difficulties; he had been unhappy in his poverty; he had been embarrassed by the queerness of his father; he had been disturbed when he feared that Katy Gaumer would not keep her promise and help him go to school; he had been terrified by the behavior of the Millerstown children and by the overshadowing cloud of his unpaid bills.
with bitterness; in a resentful manner
From this reading He was now, for the first time, bitterly ashamed.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But now a new emotion filled his heart and weighed down his spirit.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Hitherto in his life Alvin had had grave difficulties; he had been unhappy in his poverty; he had been embarrassed by the queerness of his father; he had been disturbed when he feared that Katy Gaumer would not keep her promise and help him go to school; he had been terrified by the behavior of the Millerstown children and by the overshadowing cloud of his unpaid bills.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading Hitherto in his life Alvin had had grave difficulties; he had been unhappy in his poverty; he had been embarrassed by the queerness of his father; he had been disturbed when he feared that Katy Gaumer would not keep her promise and help him go to school; he had been terrified by the behavior of the Millerstown children and by the overshadowing cloud of his unpaid bills.
make overcast or cloudy
From this reading Hitherto in his life Alvin had had grave difficulties; he had been unhappy in his poverty; he had been embarrassed by the queerness of his father; he had been disturbed when he feared that Katy Gaumer would not keep her promise and help him go to school; he had been terrified by the behavior of the Millerstown children and by the overshadowing cloud of his unpaid bills.
coalnounUS /koʊl/
fossil fuel consisting of carbonized vegetable matter deposited in the Carboniferous period
From this reading He had told the squire all his misery; his debt to the storekeeper, to the landlord, to Sarah Ann, to Katy, to the coal dealer, to the jeweler, to the tailor.
dealernounUS /ˈdiːlər/
someone who purchases and maintains an inventory of goods to be sold
From this reading He had told the squire all his misery; his debt to the storekeeper, to the landlord, to Sarah Ann, to Katy, to the coal dealer, to the jeweler, to the tailor.
debtnounUS /det/
the state of owing something (especially money)
From this reading He had told the squire all his misery; his debt to the storekeeper, to the landlord, to Sarah Ann, to Katy, to the coal dealer, to the jeweler, to the tailor.
plural of “difficulty” — an effort that is inconvenient
From this reading Hitherto in his life Alvin had had grave difficulties; he had been unhappy in his poverty; he had been embarrassed by the queerness of his father; he had been disturbed when he feared that Katy Gaumer would not keep her promise and help him go to school; he had been terrified by the behavior of the Millerstown children and by the overshadowing cloud of his unpaid bills.
having the place or position changed
From this reading Hitherto in his life Alvin had had grave difficulties; he had been unhappy in his poverty; he had been embarrassed by the queerness of his father; he had been disturbed when he feared that Katy Gaumer would not keep her promise and help him go to school; he had been terrified by the behavior of the Millerstown children and by the overshadowing cloud of his unpaid bills.
DOESauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading ALVIN DOES PENANCE AND IS SHRIVEN THE squire stayed for fifteen minutes with Alvin Koehler; when he left, Alvin was limp; he sat in his little house and wept.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading But now a new emotion filled his heart and weighed down his spirit.
embarrassedadjectiveUS /ɪmˈberəst/
feeling or caused to feel ill at ease or self-conscious or ashamed
From this reading Hitherto in his life Alvin had had grave difficulties; he had been unhappy in his poverty; he had been embarrassed by the queerness of his father; he had been disturbed when he feared that Katy Gaumer would not keep her promise and help him go to school; he had been terrified by the behavior of the Millerstown children and by the overshadowing cloud of his unpaid bills.
any strong feeling
From this reading But now a new emotion filled his heart and weighed down his spirit.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading Hitherto in his life Alvin had had grave difficulties; he had been unhappy in his poverty; he had been embarrassed by the queerness of his father; he had been disturbed when he feared that Katy Gaumer would not keep her promise and help him go to school; he had been terrified by the behavior of the Millerstown children and by the overshadowing cloud of his unpaid bills.
past form of “fear” — be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading Hitherto in his life Alvin had had grave difficulties; he had been unhappy in his poverty; he had been embarrassed by the queerness of his father; he had been disturbed when he feared that Katy Gaumer would not keep her promise and help him go to school; he had been terrified by the behavior of the Millerstown children and by the overshadowing cloud of his unpaid bills.
the cardinal number that is the sum of fourteen and one
From this reading ALVIN DOES PENANCE AND IS SHRIVEN THE squire stayed for fifteen minutes with Alvin Koehler; when he left, Alvin was limp; he sat in his little house and wept.
(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with
From this reading But now a new emotion filled his heart and weighed down his spirit.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading He was now, for the first time, bitterly ashamed.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading ALVIN DOES PENANCE AND IS SHRIVEN THE squire stayed for fifteen minutes with Alvin Koehler; when he left, Alvin was limp; he sat in his little house and wept.
Gaumer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hitherto in his life Alvin had had grave difficulties; he had been unhappy in his poverty; he had been embarrassed by the queerness of his father; he had been disturbed when he feared that Katy Gaumer would not keep her promise and help him go to school; he had been terrified by the behavior of the Millerstown children and by the overshadowing cloud of his unpaid bills.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Hitherto in his life Alvin had had grave difficulties; he had been unhappy in his poverty; he had been embarrassed by the queerness of his father; he had been disturbed when he feared that Katy Gaumer would not keep her promise and help him go to school; he had been terrified by the behavior of the Millerstown children and by the overshadowing cloud of his unpaid bills.
death of a person
From this reading Hitherto in his life Alvin had had grave difficulties; he had been unhappy in his poverty; he had been embarrassed by the queerness of his father; he had been disturbed when he feared that Katy Gaumer would not keep her promise and help him go to school; he had been terrified by the behavior of the Millerstown children and by the overshadowing cloud of his unpaid bills.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Hitherto in his life Alvin had had grave difficulties; he had been unhappy in his poverty; he had been embarrassed by the queerness of his father; he had been disturbed when he feared that Katy Gaumer would not keep her promise and help him go to school; he had been terrified by the behavior of the Millerstown children and by the overshadowing cloud of his unpaid bills.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading ALVIN DOES PENANCE AND IS SHRIVEN THE squire stayed for fifteen minutes with Alvin Koehler; when he left, Alvin was limp; he sat in his little house and wept.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading But now a new emotion filled his heart and weighed down his spirit.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading Hitherto in his life Alvin had had grave difficulties; he had been unhappy in his poverty; he had been embarrassed by the queerness of his father; he had been disturbed when he feared that Katy Gaumer would not keep her promise and help him go to school; he had been terrified by the behavior of the Millerstown children and by the overshadowing cloud of his unpaid bills.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Hitherto in his life Alvin had had grave difficulties; he had been unhappy in his poverty; he had been embarrassed by the queerness of his father; he had been disturbed when he feared that Katy Gaumer would not keep her promise and help him go to school; he had been terrified by the behavior of the Millerstown children and by the overshadowing cloud of his unpaid bills.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Hitherto in his life Alvin had had grave difficulties; he had been unhappy in his poverty; he had been embarrassed by the queerness of his father; he had been disturbed when he feared that Katy Gaumer would not keep her promise and help him go to school; he had been terrified by the behavior of the Millerstown children and by the overshadowing cloud of his unpaid bills.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading ALVIN DOES PENANCE AND IS SHRIVEN THE squire stayed for fifteen minutes with Alvin Koehler; when he left, Alvin was limp; he sat in his little house and wept.
used in negative statement to describe a situation that has existed up to this point or up to the present time
From this reading Hitherto in his life Alvin had had grave difficulties; he had been unhappy in his poverty; he had been embarrassed by the queerness of his father; he had been disturbed when he feared that Katy Gaumer would not keep her promise and help him go to school; he had been terrified by the behavior of the Millerstown children and by the overshadowing cloud of his unpaid bills.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading ALVIN DOES PENANCE AND IS SHRIVEN THE squire stayed for fifteen minutes with Alvin Koehler; when he left, Alvin was limp; he sat in his little house and wept.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading ALVIN DOES PENANCE AND IS SHRIVEN THE squire stayed for fifteen minutes with Alvin Koehler; when he left, Alvin was limp; he sat in his little house and wept.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading ALVIN DOES PENANCE AND IS SHRIVEN THE squire stayed for fifteen minutes with Alvin Koehler; when he left, Alvin was limp; he sat in his little house and wept.
jewelernounUS /ˈdʒuːələr/
someone who makes jewelry
From this reading He had told the squire all his misery; his debt to the storekeeper, to the landlord, to Sarah Ann, to Katy, to the coal dealer, to the jeweler, to the tailor.
Katy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hitherto in his life Alvin had had grave difficulties; he had been unhappy in his poverty; he had been embarrassed by the queerness of his father; he had been disturbed when he feared that Katy Gaumer would not keep her promise and help him go to school; he had been terrified by the behavior of the Millerstown children and by the overshadowing cloud of his unpaid bills.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading Hitherto in his life Alvin had had grave difficulties; he had been unhappy in his poverty; he had been embarrassed by the queerness of his father; he had been disturbed when he feared that Katy Gaumer would not keep her promise and help him go to school; he had been terrified by the behavior of the Millerstown children and by the overshadowing cloud of his unpaid bills.
Koehler
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ALVIN DOES PENANCE AND IS SHRIVEN THE squire stayed for fifteen minutes with Alvin Koehler; when he left, Alvin was limp; he sat in his little house and wept.
landlordnounUS /ˈlændlɔːrd/
a landowner who leases to others
From this reading He had told the squire all his misery; his debt to the storekeeper, to the landlord, to Sarah Ann, to Katy, to the coal dealer, to the jeweler, to the tailor.
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 ALVIN DOES PENANCE AND IS SHRIVEN THE squire stayed for fifteen minutes with Alvin Koehler; when he left, Alvin was limp; he sat in his little house and wept.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Hitherto in his life Alvin had had grave difficulties; he had been unhappy in his poverty; he had been embarrassed by the queerness of his father; he had been disturbed when he feared that Katy Gaumer would not keep her promise and help him go to school; he had been terrified by the behavior of the Millerstown children and by the overshadowing cloud of his unpaid bills.
limpverbUS /lɪmp/
walk impeded by some physical limitation or injury
From this reading ALVIN DOES PENANCE AND IS SHRIVEN THE squire stayed for fifteen minutes with Alvin Koehler; when he left, Alvin was limp; he sat in his little house and wept.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading ALVIN DOES PENANCE AND IS SHRIVEN THE squire stayed for fifteen minutes with Alvin Koehler; when he left, Alvin was limp; he sat in his little house and wept.
Millerstown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hitherto in his life Alvin had had grave difficulties; he had been unhappy in his poverty; he had been embarrassed by the queerness of his father; he had been disturbed when he feared that Katy Gaumer would not keep her promise and help him go to school; he had been terrified by the behavior of the Millerstown children and by the overshadowing cloud of his unpaid bills.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading ALVIN DOES PENANCE AND IS SHRIVEN THE squire stayed for fifteen minutes with Alvin Koehler; when he left, Alvin was limp; he sat in his little house and wept.
a state of ill-being due to affliction or misfortune
From this reading He had told the squire all his misery; his debt to the storekeeper, to the landlord, to Sarah Ann, to Katy, to the coal dealer, to the jeweler, to the tailor.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading But now a new emotion filled his heart and weighed down his spirit.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Hitherto in his life Alvin had had grave difficulties; he had been unhappy in his poverty; he had been embarrassed by the queerness of his father; he had been disturbed when he feared that Katy Gaumer would not keep her promise and help him go to school; he had been terrified by the behavior of the Millerstown children and by the overshadowing cloud of his unpaid bills.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading But now a new emotion filled his heart and weighed down his spirit.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Hitherto in his life Alvin had had grave difficulties; he had been unhappy in his poverty; he had been embarrassed by the queerness of his father; he had been disturbed when he feared that Katy Gaumer would not keep her promise and help him go to school; he had been terrified by the behavior of the Millerstown children and by the overshadowing cloud of his unpaid bills.
overshadowingverbUS /ˈoʊvərˈʃædoʊɪŋ/
-ing form of “overshadow” — be greater in significance than
From this reading Hitherto in his life Alvin had had grave difficulties; he had been unhappy in his poverty; he had been embarrassed by the queerness of his father; he had been disturbed when he feared that Katy Gaumer would not keep her promise and help him go to school; he had been terrified by the behavior of the Millerstown children and by the overshadowing cloud of his unpaid bills.
PENANCEnounUS /ˈpenəns/
remorse for your past conduct
From this reading ALVIN DOES PENANCE AND IS SHRIVEN THE squire stayed for fifteen minutes with Alvin Koehler; when he left, Alvin was limp; he sat in his little house and wept.
the state of having little or no money and few or no material possessions
From this reading Hitherto in his life Alvin had had grave difficulties; he had been unhappy in his poverty; he had been embarrassed by the queerness of his father; he had been disturbed when he feared that Katy Gaumer would not keep her promise and help him go to school; he had been terrified by the behavior of the Millerstown children and by the overshadowing cloud of his unpaid bills.
make a promise or commitment
From this reading Hitherto in his life Alvin had had grave difficulties; he had been unhappy in his poverty; he had been embarrassed by the queerness of his father; he had been disturbed when he feared that Katy Gaumer would not keep her promise and help him go to school; he had been terrified by the behavior of the Millerstown children and by the overshadowing cloud of his unpaid bills.
queernessnoun
a strange attitude or habit
From this reading Hitherto in his life Alvin had had grave difficulties; he had been unhappy in his poverty; he had been embarrassed by the queerness of his father; he had been disturbed when he feared that Katy Gaumer would not keep her promise and help him go to school; he had been terrified by the behavior of the Millerstown children and by the overshadowing cloud of his unpaid bills.
SarahnounUS /ˈserə/
(Old Testament) the wife of Abraham and mother of Isaac
From this reading He had told the squire all his misery; his debt to the storekeeper, to the landlord, to Sarah Ann, to Katy, to the coal dealer, to the jeweler, to the tailor.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading ALVIN DOES PENANCE AND IS SHRIVEN THE squire stayed for fifteen minutes with Alvin Koehler; when he left, Alvin was limp; he sat in his little house and wept.
an educational institution
From this reading Hitherto in his life Alvin had had grave difficulties; he had been unhappy in his poverty; he had been embarrassed by the queerness of his father; he had been disturbed when he feared that Katy Gaumer would not keep her promise and help him go to school; he had been terrified by the behavior of the Millerstown children and by the overshadowing cloud of his unpaid bills.
SHRIVEN
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ALVIN DOES PENANCE AND IS SHRIVEN THE squire stayed for fifteen minutes with Alvin Koehler; when he left, Alvin was limp; he sat in his little house and wept.
the vital principle or animating force within living things
From this reading But now a new emotion filled his heart and weighed down his spirit.
young nobleman attendant on a knight
From this reading ALVIN DOES PENANCE AND IS SHRIVEN THE squire stayed for fifteen minutes with Alvin Koehler; when he left, Alvin was limp; he sat in his little house and wept.
past form of “stay” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading ALVIN DOES PENANCE AND IS SHRIVEN THE squire stayed for fifteen minutes with Alvin Koehler; when he left, Alvin was limp; he sat in his little house and wept.
storekeepernounUS /ˈstɔːrkiːpər/
a merchant who owns or manages a shop
From this reading He had told the squire all his misery; his debt to the storekeeper, to the landlord, to Sarah Ann, to Katy, to the coal dealer, to the jeweler, to the tailor.
tailorverbUS /ˈteɪlər/
adjust to a specific need or market
From this reading He had told the squire all his misery; his debt to the storekeeper, to the landlord, to Sarah Ann, to Katy, to the coal dealer, to the jeweler, to the tailor.
terrifiedadjectiveUS /ˈterəfaɪd/
thrown into a state of intense fear or desperation
From this reading Hitherto in his life Alvin had had grave difficulties; he had been unhappy in his poverty; he had been embarrassed by the queerness of his father; he had been disturbed when he feared that Katy Gaumer would not keep her promise and help him go to school; he had been terrified by the behavior of the Millerstown children and by the overshadowing cloud of his unpaid bills.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Hitherto in his life Alvin had had grave difficulties; he had been unhappy in his poverty; he had been embarrassed by the queerness of his father; he had been disturbed when he feared that Katy Gaumer would not keep her promise and help him go to school; he had been terrified by the behavior of the Millerstown children and by the overshadowing cloud of his unpaid bills.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ALVIN DOES PENANCE AND IS SHRIVEN THE squire stayed for fifteen minutes with Alvin Koehler; when he left, Alvin was limp; he sat in his little house and wept.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading He was now, for the first time, bitterly ashamed.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Hitherto in his life Alvin had had grave difficulties; he had been unhappy in his poverty; he had been embarrassed by the queerness of his father; he had been disturbed when he feared that Katy Gaumer would not keep her promise and help him go to school; he had been terrified by the behavior of the Millerstown children and by the overshadowing cloud of his unpaid bills.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading He had told the squire all his misery; his debt to the storekeeper, to the landlord, to Sarah Ann, to Katy, to the coal dealer, to the jeweler, to the tailor.
experiencing or marked by or causing sadness or sorrow or discontent
From this reading Hitherto in his life Alvin had had grave difficulties; he had been unhappy in his poverty; he had been embarrassed by the queerness of his father; he had been disturbed when he feared that Katy Gaumer would not keep her promise and help him go to school; he had been terrified by the behavior of the Millerstown children and by the overshadowing cloud of his unpaid bills.
unpaidadjectiveUS /ənˈpeɪd/
not paid
From this reading Hitherto in his life Alvin had had grave difficulties; he had been unhappy in his poverty; he had been embarrassed by the queerness of his father; he had been disturbed when he feared that Katy Gaumer would not keep her promise and help him go to school; he had been terrified by the behavior of the Millerstown children and by the overshadowing cloud of his unpaid bills.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading ALVIN DOES PENANCE AND IS SHRIVEN THE squire stayed for fifteen minutes with Alvin Koehler; when he left, Alvin was limp; he sat in his little house and wept.
weighedverbUS /weɪd/
past form of “weigh” — have a certain weight
From this reading But now a new emotion filled his heart and weighed down his spirit.
inflected form of “weep” — shed tears because of sadness, rage, or pain
From this reading ALVIN DOES PENANCE AND IS SHRIVEN THE squire stayed for fifteen minutes with Alvin Koehler; when he left, Alvin was limp; he sat in his little house and wept.
at the time that
From this reading ALVIN DOES PENANCE AND IS SHRIVEN THE squire stayed for fifteen minutes with Alvin Koehler; when he left, Alvin was limp; he sat in his little house and wept.
in the company of; together with
From this reading ALVIN DOES PENANCE AND IS SHRIVEN THE squire stayed for fifteen minutes with Alvin Koehler; when he left, Alvin was limp; he sat in his little house and wept.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Hitherto in his life Alvin had had grave difficulties; he had been unhappy in his poverty; he had been embarrassed by the queerness of his father; he had been disturbed when he feared that Katy Gaumer would not keep her promise and help him go to school; he had been terrified by the behavior of the Millerstown children and by the overshadowing cloud of his unpaid bills.
