Chapter XXVII

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

From this reading THE LITTLE STREET SINGER It was Christmas Eve, and very nearly dark, when Mrs. Lanier, driving up St. Charles Avenue in her comfortable carriage quite filled with costly presents for her children, noticed a forlorn little figure, standing alone at a street corner.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading There was something about the sorrowful looking little figure that moved her strangely, for she turned and watched it as long as she could discern the child’s face in the gathering twilight.

Having no one else present.

From this reading THE LITTLE STREET SINGER It was Christmas Eve, and very nearly dark, when Mrs. Lanier, driving up St. Charles Avenue in her comfortable carriage quite filled with costly presents for her children, noticed a forlorn little figure, standing alone at a street corner.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Although she was soiled and ragged, she did not look like a common child, and it was that indefinable something in her appearance that attracted Mrs. Lanier’s attention, for she thought as the carriage whirled by and left the child far behind, “Poor little thing! she didn’t look like a street beggar.

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

From this reading THE LITTLE STREET SINGER It was Christmas Eve, and very nearly dark, when Mrs. Lanier, driving up St. Charles Avenue in her comfortable carriage quite filled with costly presents for her children, noticed a forlorn little figure, standing alone at a street corner.

outward or visible aspect of a person or thing

From this reading Although she was soiled and ragged, she did not look like a common child, and it was that indefinable something in her appearance that attracted Mrs. Lanier’s attention, for she thought as the carriage whirled by and left the child far behind, “Poor little thing! she didn’t look like a street beggar.

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading She hugged a thin, faded shawl around her shoulders, and her yellow hair fell in matted, tangled strands below her waist; her small face was pale and pinched, and had a woe-begone look that would melt the hardest heart.

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

From this reading There was something about the sorrowful looking little figure that moved her strangely, for she turned and watched it as long as she could discern the child’s face in the gathering twilight.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading THE LITTLE STREET SINGER It was Christmas Eve, and very nearly dark, when Mrs. Lanier, driving up St. Charles Avenue in her comfortable carriage quite filled with costly presents for her children, noticed a forlorn little figure, standing alone at a street corner.

the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others

From this reading Although she was soiled and ragged, she did not look like a common child, and it was that indefinable something in her appearance that attracted Mrs. Lanier’s attention, for she thought as the carriage whirled by and left the child far behind, “Poor little thing! she didn’t look like a street beggar.

past form of “attract” — direct toward itself or oneself by means of some psychological power or physical attributes

From this reading Although she was soiled and ragged, she did not look like a common child, and it was that indefinable something in her appearance that attracted Mrs. Lanier’s attention, for she thought as the carriage whirled by and left the child far behind, “Poor little thing! she didn’t look like a street beggar.

a line of approach

From this reading THE LITTLE STREET SINGER It was Christmas Eve, and very nearly dark, when Mrs. Lanier, driving up St. Charles Avenue in her comfortable carriage quite filled with costly presents for her children, noticed a forlorn little figure, standing alone at a street corner.

a pauper who lives by begging

From this reading Although she was soiled and ragged, she did not look like a common child, and it was that indefinable something in her appearance that attracted Mrs. Lanier’s attention, for she thought as the carriage whirled by and left the child far behind, “Poor little thing! she didn’t look like a street beggar.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading Although she was soiled and ragged, she did not look like a common child, and it was that indefinable something in her appearance that attracted Mrs. Lanier’s attention, for she thought as the carriage whirled by and left the child far behind, “Poor little thing! she didn’t look like a street beggar.

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading She hugged a thin, faded shawl around her shoulders, and her yellow hair fell in matted, tangled strands below her waist; her small face was pale and pinched, and had a woe-begone look that would melt the hardest heart.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading It was a little girl, thinly clad in a soiled and torn white frock; her black stockings were full of holes, and her shoes so worn that the tiny white toes were visible through the rents.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Although she was soiled and ragged, she did not look like a common child, and it was that indefinable something in her appearance that attracted Mrs. Lanier’s attention, for she thought as the carriage whirled by and left the child far behind, “Poor little thing! she didn’t look like a street beggar.

a railcar where passengers ride

From this reading THE LITTLE STREET SINGER It was Christmas Eve, and very nearly dark, when Mrs. Lanier, driving up St. Charles Avenue in her comfortable carriage quite filled with costly presents for her children, noticed a forlorn little figure, standing alone at a street corner.

King of France from 1560 to 1574 whose reign was dominated by his mother Catherine de Medicis (1550-1574)

From this reading THE LITTLE STREET SINGER It was Christmas Eve, and very nearly dark, when Mrs. Lanier, driving up St. Charles Avenue in her comfortable carriage quite filled with costly presents for her children, noticed a forlorn little figure, standing alone at a street corner.

a young person of either sex

From this reading Although she was soiled and ragged, she did not look like a common child, and it was that indefinable something in her appearance that attracted Mrs. Lanier’s attention, for she thought as the carriage whirled by and left the child far behind, “Poor little thing! she didn’t look like a street beggar.

possessive form of “child” — a young person of either sex

From this reading There was something about the sorrowful looking little figure that moved her strangely, for she turned and watched it as long as she could discern the child’s face in the gathering twilight.

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

From this reading THE LITTLE STREET SINGER It was Christmas Eve, and very nearly dark, when Mrs. Lanier, driving up St. Charles Avenue in her comfortable carriage quite filled with costly presents for her children, noticed a forlorn little figure, standing alone at a street corner.

period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6

From this reading THE LITTLE STREET SINGER It was Christmas Eve, and very nearly dark, when Mrs. Lanier, driving up St. Charles Avenue in her comfortable carriage quite filled with costly presents for her children, noticed a forlorn little figure, standing alone at a street corner.

wearing or provided with clothing; sometimes used in combination

From this reading It was a little girl, thinly clad in a soiled and torn white frock; her black stockings were full of holes, and her shoes so worn that the tiny white toes were visible through the rents.

providing or experiencing physical well-being or relief (“comfy” is informal)

From this reading THE LITTLE STREET SINGER It was Christmas Eve, and very nearly dark, when Mrs. Lanier, driving up St. Charles Avenue in her comfortable carriage quite filled with costly presents for her children, noticed a forlorn little figure, standing alone at a street corner.

belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public

From this reading Although she was soiled and ragged, she did not look like a common child, and it was that indefinable something in her appearance that attracted Mrs. Lanier’s attention, for she thought as the carriage whirled by and left the child far behind, “Poor little thing! she didn’t look like a street beggar.

a place off to the side of an area

From this reading THE LITTLE STREET SINGER It was Christmas Eve, and very nearly dark, when Mrs. Lanier, driving up St. Charles Avenue in her comfortable carriage quite filled with costly presents for her children, noticed a forlorn little figure, standing alone at a street corner.

entailing great loss or sacrifice

From this reading THE LITTLE STREET SINGER It was Christmas Eve, and very nearly dark, when Mrs. Lanier, driving up St. Charles Avenue in her comfortable carriage quite filled with costly presents for her children, noticed a forlorn little figure, standing alone at a street corner.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading There was something about the sorrowful looking little figure that moved her strangely, for she turned and watched it as long as she could discern the child’s face in the gathering twilight.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading THE LITTLE STREET SINGER It was Christmas Eve, and very nearly dark, when Mrs. Lanier, driving up St. Charles Avenue in her comfortable carriage quite filled with costly presents for her children, noticed a forlorn little figure, standing alone at a street corner.

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

From this reading Although she was soiled and ragged, she did not look like a common child, and it was that indefinable something in her appearance that attracted Mrs. Lanier’s attention, for she thought as the carriage whirled by and left the child far behind, “Poor little thing! she didn’t look like a street beggar.

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

From this reading Although she was soiled and ragged, she did not look like a common child, and it was that indefinable something in her appearance that attracted Mrs. Lanier’s attention, for she thought as the carriage whirled by and left the child far behind, “Poor little thing! she didn’t look like a street beggar.

detect with the senses

From this reading There was something about the sorrowful looking little figure that moved her strangely, for she turned and watched it as long as she could discern the child’s face in the gathering twilight.

having the power of driving or impelling

From this reading THE LITTLE STREET SINGER It was Christmas Eve, and very nearly dark, when Mrs. Lanier, driving up St. Charles Avenue in her comfortable carriage quite filled with costly presents for her children, noticed a forlorn little figure, standing alone at a street corner.

(Old Testament) Adam's wife in Judeo-Christian mythology: the first woman and mother of the human race; God created Eve from Adam's rib and placed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden

From this reading THE LITTLE STREET SINGER It was Christmas Eve, and very nearly dark, when Mrs. Lanier, driving up St. Charles Avenue in her comfortable carriage quite filled with costly presents for her children, noticed a forlorn little figure, standing alone at a street corner.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading There was something about the sorrowful looking little figure that moved her strangely, for she turned and watched it as long as she could discern the child’s face in the gathering twilight.

having lost freshness or brilliance of color

From this reading She hugged a thin, faded shawl around her shoulders, and her yellow hair fell in matted, tangled strands below her waist; her small face was pale and pinched, and had a woe-begone look that would melt the hardest heart.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading Although she was soiled and ragged, she did not look like a common child, and it was that indefinable something in her appearance that attracted Mrs. Lanier’s attention, for she thought as the carriage whirled by and left the child far behind, “Poor little thing! she didn’t look like a street beggar.

cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow

From this reading She hugged a thin, faded shawl around her shoulders, and her yellow hair fell in matted, tangled strands below her waist; her small face was pale and pinched, and had a woe-begone look that would melt the hardest heart.

a diagram or picture illustrating textual material

From this reading THE LITTLE STREET SINGER It was Christmas Eve, and very nearly dark, when Mrs. Lanier, driving up St. Charles Avenue in her comfortable carriage quite filled with costly presents for her children, noticed a forlorn little figure, standing alone at a street corner.

(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with

From this reading THE LITTLE STREET SINGER It was Christmas Eve, and very nearly dark, when Mrs. Lanier, driving up St. Charles Avenue in her comfortable carriage quite filled with costly presents for her children, noticed a forlorn little figure, standing alone at a street corner.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading THE LITTLE STREET SINGER It was Christmas Eve, and very nearly dark, when Mrs. Lanier, driving up St. Charles Avenue in her comfortable carriage quite filled with costly presents for her children, noticed a forlorn little figure, standing alone at a street corner.

marked by or showing hopelessness

From this reading THE LITTLE STREET SINGER It was Christmas Eve, and very nearly dark, when Mrs. Lanier, driving up St. Charles Avenue in her comfortable carriage quite filled with costly presents for her children, noticed a forlorn little figure, standing alone at a street corner.

a long, loose outer garment

From this reading It was a little girl, thinly clad in a soiled and torn white frock; her black stockings were full of holes, and her shoes so worn that the tiny white toes were visible through the rents.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading It was a little girl, thinly clad in a soiled and torn white frock; her black stockings were full of holes, and her shoes so worn that the tiny white toes were visible through the rents.

a group of persons together in one place

From this reading There was something about the sorrowful looking little figure that moved her strangely, for she turned and watched it as long as she could discern the child’s face in the gathering twilight.

a young female

From this reading It was a little girl, thinly clad in a soiled and torn white frock; her black stockings were full of holes, and her shoes so worn that the tiny white toes were visible through the rents.

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

From this reading She hugged a thin, faded shawl around her shoulders, and her yellow hair fell in matted, tangled strands below her waist; her small face was pale and pinched, and had a woe-begone look that would melt the hardest heart.

a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss

From this reading She hugged a thin, faded shawl around her shoulders, and her yellow hair fell in matted, tangled strands below her waist; her small face was pale and pinched, and had a woe-begone look that would melt the hardest heart.

superlative of “hard” — with effort or force or vigor

From this reading She hugged a thin, faded shawl around her shoulders, and her yellow hair fell in matted, tangled strands below her waist; her small face was pale and pinched, and had a woe-begone look that would melt the hardest heart.

the locus of feelings and intuitions

From this reading She hugged a thin, faded shawl around her shoulders, and her yellow hair fell in matted, tangled strands below her waist; her small face was pale and pinched, and had a woe-begone look that would melt the hardest heart.

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

From this reading THE LITTLE STREET SINGER It was Christmas Eve, and very nearly dark, when Mrs. Lanier, driving up St. Charles Avenue in her comfortable carriage quite filled with costly presents for her children, noticed a forlorn little figure, standing alone at a street corner.

plural of “hole” — an opening into or through something

From this reading It was a little girl, thinly clad in a soiled and torn white frock; her black stockings were full of holes, and her shoes so worn that the tiny white toes were visible through the rents.

inflected form of “hug” — hold (someone) tightly in your arms, usually with fondness

From this reading She hugged a thin, faded shawl around her shoulders, and her yellow hair fell in matted, tangled strands below her waist; her small face was pale and pinched, and had a woe-begone look that would melt the hardest heart.

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

From this reading THE LITTLE STREET SINGER It was Christmas Eve, and very nearly dark, when Mrs. Lanier, driving up St. Charles Avenue in her comfortable carriage quite filled with costly presents for her children, noticed a forlorn little figure, standing alone at a street corner.

not capable of being precisely or readily described; not easily put into words

From this reading Although she was soiled and ragged, she did not look like a common child, and it was that indefinable something in her appearance that attracted Mrs. Lanier’s attention, for she thought as the carriage whirled by and left the child far behind, “Poor little thing! she didn’t look like a street beggar.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading THE LITTLE STREET SINGER It was Christmas Eve, and very nearly dark, when Mrs. Lanier, driving up St. Charles Avenue in her comfortable carriage quite filled with costly presents for her children, noticed a forlorn little figure, standing alone at a street corner.

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

From this reading THE LITTLE STREET SINGER It was Christmas Eve, and very nearly dark, when Mrs. Lanier, driving up St. Charles Avenue in her comfortable carriage quite filled with costly presents for her children, noticed a forlorn little figure, standing alone at a street corner.

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

From this reading Although she was soiled and ragged, she did not look like a common child, and it was that indefinable something in her appearance that attracted Mrs. Lanier’s attention, for she thought as the carriage whirled by and left the child far behind, “Poor little thing! she didn’t look like a street beggar.

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 Although she was soiled and ragged, she did not look like a common child, and it was that indefinable something in her appearance that attracted Mrs. Lanier’s attention, for she thought as the carriage whirled by and left the child far behind, “Poor little thing! she didn’t look like a street beggar.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Although she was soiled and ragged, she did not look like a common child, and it was that indefinable something in her appearance that attracted Mrs. Lanier’s attention, for she thought as the carriage whirled by and left the child far behind, “Poor little thing! she didn’t look like a street beggar.

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

From this reading THE LITTLE STREET SINGER It was Christmas Eve, and very nearly dark, when Mrs. Lanier, driving up St. Charles Avenue in her comfortable carriage quite filled with costly presents for her children, noticed a forlorn little figure, standing alone at a street corner.

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 There was something about the sorrowful looking little figure that moved her strangely, for she turned and watched it as long as she could discern the child’s face in the gathering twilight.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading She hugged a thin, faded shawl around her shoulders, and her yellow hair fell in matted, tangled strands below her waist; her small face was pale and pinched, and had a woe-begone look that would melt the hardest heart.

the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually

From this reading There was something about the sorrowful looking little figure that moved her strangely, for she turned and watched it as long as she could discern the child’s face in the gathering twilight.

tangled in a dense mass

From this reading She hugged a thin, faded shawl around her shoulders, and her yellow hair fell in matted, tangled strands below her waist; her small face was pale and pinched, and had a woe-begone look that would melt the hardest heart.

reduce or cause to be reduced from a solid to a liquid state, usually by heating

From this reading She hugged a thin, faded shawl around her shoulders, and her yellow hair fell in matted, tangled strands below her waist; her small face was pale and pinched, and had a woe-begone look that would melt the hardest heart.

being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion

From this reading There was something about the sorrowful looking little figure that moved her strangely, for she turned and watched it as long as she could discern the child’s face in the gathering twilight.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading THE LITTLE STREET SINGER It was Christmas Eve, and very nearly dark, when Mrs. Lanier, driving up St. Charles Avenue in her comfortable carriage quite filled with costly presents for her children, noticed a forlorn little figure, standing alone at a street corner.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading THE LITTLE STREET SINGER It was Christmas Eve, and very nearly dark, when Mrs. Lanier, driving up St. Charles Avenue in her comfortable carriage quite filled with costly presents for her children, noticed a forlorn little figure, standing alone at a street corner.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Although she was soiled and ragged, she did not look like a common child, and it was that indefinable something in her appearance that attracted Mrs. Lanier’s attention, for she thought as the carriage whirled by and left the child far behind, “Poor little thing! she didn’t look like a street beggar.

being perceived or observed

From this reading THE LITTLE STREET SINGER It was Christmas Eve, and very nearly dark, when Mrs. Lanier, driving up St. Charles Avenue in her comfortable carriage quite filled with costly presents for her children, noticed a forlorn little figure, standing alone at a street corner.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It was a little girl, thinly clad in a soiled and torn white frock; her black stockings were full of holes, and her shoes so worn that the tiny white toes were visible through the rents.

very light colored; highly diluted with white

From this reading She hugged a thin, faded shawl around her shoulders, and her yellow hair fell in matted, tangled strands below her waist; her small face was pale and pinched, and had a woe-begone look that would melt the hardest heart.

sounding as if the nose were pinched

From this reading She hugged a thin, faded shawl around her shoulders, and her yellow hair fell in matted, tangled strands below her waist; her small face was pale and pinched, and had a woe-begone look that would melt the hardest heart.

deserving or inciting pity

From this reading Although she was soiled and ragged, she did not look like a common child, and it was that indefinable something in her appearance that attracted Mrs. Lanier’s attention, for she thought as the carriage whirled by and left the child far behind, “Poor little thing! she didn’t look like a street beggar.

plural of “present” — the period of time that is happening now; any continuous stretch of time including the moment of speech

From this reading THE LITTLE STREET SINGER It was Christmas Eve, and very nearly dark, when Mrs. Lanier, driving up St. Charles Avenue in her comfortable carriage quite filled with costly presents for her children, noticed a forlorn little figure, standing alone at a street corner.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading THE LITTLE STREET SINGER It was Christmas Eve, and very nearly dark, when Mrs. Lanier, driving up St. Charles Avenue in her comfortable carriage quite filled with costly presents for her children, noticed a forlorn little figure, standing alone at a street corner.

being or dressed in clothes that are worn or torn

From this reading Although she was soiled and ragged, she did not look like a common child, and it was that indefinable something in her appearance that attracted Mrs. Lanier’s attention, for she thought as the carriage whirled by and left the child far behind, “Poor little thing! she didn’t look like a street beggar.

plural of “rent” — a payment or series of payments made by the lessee to an owner for use of some property, facility, equipment, or service

From this reading It was a little girl, thinly clad in a soiled and torn white frock; her black stockings were full of holes, and her shoes so worn that the tiny white toes were visible through the rents.

cloak consisting of an oblong piece of cloth used to cover the head and shoulders

From this reading She hugged a thin, faded shawl around her shoulders, and her yellow hair fell in matted, tangled strands below her waist; her small face was pale and pinched, and had a woe-begone look that would melt the hardest heart.

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

From this reading There was something about the sorrowful looking little figure that moved her strangely, for she turned and watched it as long as she could discern the child’s face in the gathering twilight.

a particular situation

From this reading It was a little girl, thinly clad in a soiled and torn white frock; her black stockings were full of holes, and her shoes so worn that the tiny white toes were visible through the rents.

plural of “shoulder” — the part of the body between the neck and the upper arm

From this reading She hugged a thin, faded shawl around her shoulders, and her yellow hair fell in matted, tangled strands below her waist; her small face was pale and pinched, and had a woe-begone look that would melt the hardest heart.

a person who sings

From this reading THE LITTLE STREET SINGER It was Christmas Eve, and very nearly dark, when Mrs. Lanier, driving up St. Charles Avenue in her comfortable carriage quite filled with costly presents for her children, noticed a forlorn little figure, standing alone at a street corner.

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

From this reading She hugged a thin, faded shawl around her shoulders, and her yellow hair fell in matted, tangled strands below her waist; her small face was pale and pinched, and had a woe-begone look that would melt the hardest heart.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading It was a little girl, thinly clad in a soiled and torn white frock; her black stockings were full of holes, and her shoes so worn that the tiny white toes were visible through the rents.

soiled or likely to soil with dirt or grime

From this reading It was a little girl, thinly clad in a soiled and torn white frock; her black stockings were full of holes, and her shoes so worn that the tiny white toes were visible through the rents.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading There was something about the sorrowful looking little figure that moved her strangely, for she turned and watched it as long as she could discern the child’s face in the gathering twilight.

experiencing or marked by or expressing sorrow especially that associated with irreparable loss

From this reading There was something about the sorrowful looking little figure that moved her strangely, for she turned and watched it as long as she could discern the child’s face in the gathering twilight.

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

From this reading THE LITTLE STREET SINGER It was Christmas Eve, and very nearly dark, when Mrs. Lanier, driving up St. Charles Avenue in her comfortable carriage quite filled with costly presents for her children, noticed a forlorn little figure, standing alone at a street corner.

having a supporting base

From this reading THE LITTLE STREET SINGER It was Christmas Eve, and very nearly dark, when Mrs. Lanier, driving up St. Charles Avenue in her comfortable carriage quite filled with costly presents for her children, noticed a forlorn little figure, standing alone at a street corner.

plural of “stocking” — close-fitting hosiery to cover the foot and leg; come in matched pairs (usually used in the plural)

From this reading It was a little girl, thinly clad in a soiled and torn white frock; her black stockings were full of holes, and her shoes so worn that the tiny white toes were visible through the rents.

plural of “strand” — a pattern forming a unity within a larger structural whole

From this reading She hugged a thin, faded shawl around her shoulders, and her yellow hair fell in matted, tangled strands below her waist; her small face was pale and pinched, and had a woe-begone look that would melt the hardest heart.

in a strange manner

From this reading There was something about the sorrowful looking little figure that moved her strangely, for she turned and watched it as long as she could discern the child’s face in the gathering twilight.

a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading THE LITTLE STREET SINGER It was Christmas Eve, and very nearly dark, when Mrs. Lanier, driving up St. Charles Avenue in her comfortable carriage quite filled with costly presents for her children, noticed a forlorn little figure, standing alone at a street corner.

in a confused mass

From this reading She hugged a thin, faded shawl around her shoulders, and her yellow hair fell in matted, tangled strands below her waist; her small face was pale and pinched, and had a woe-begone look that would melt the hardest heart.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading There was something about the sorrowful looking little figure that moved her strangely, for she turned and watched it as long as she could discern the child’s face in the gathering twilight.

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

From this reading THE LITTLE STREET SINGER It was Christmas Eve, and very nearly dark, when Mrs. Lanier, driving up St. Charles Avenue in her comfortable carriage quite filled with costly presents for her children, noticed a forlorn little figure, standing alone at a street corner.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There was something about the sorrowful looking little figure that moved her strangely, for she turned and watched it as long as she could discern the child’s face in the gathering twilight.

Having little thickness or extent.

From this reading She hugged a thin, faded shawl around her shoulders, and her yellow hair fell in matted, tangled strands below her waist; her small face was pale and pinched, and had a woe-begone look that would melt the hardest heart.

a special situation

From this reading Although she was soiled and ragged, she did not look like a common child, and it was that indefinable something in her appearance that attracted Mrs. Lanier’s attention, for she thought as the carriage whirled by and left the child far behind, “Poor little thing! she didn’t look like a street beggar.

without force or sincere effort

From this reading It was a little girl, thinly clad in a soiled and torn white frock; her black stockings were full of holes, and her shoes so worn that the tiny white toes were visible through the rents.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading Although she was soiled and ragged, she did not look like a common child, and it was that indefinable something in her appearance that attracted Mrs. Lanier’s attention, for she thought as the carriage whirled by and left the child far behind, “Poor little thing! she didn’t look like a street beggar.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading It was a little girl, thinly clad in a soiled and torn white frock; her black stockings were full of holes, and her shoes so worn that the tiny white toes were visible through the rents.

very small

From this reading It was a little girl, thinly clad in a soiled and torn white frock; her black stockings were full of holes, and her shoes so worn that the tiny white toes were visible through the rents.

plural of “toe” — one of the digits of the foot

From this reading It was a little girl, thinly clad in a soiled and torn white frock; her black stockings were full of holes, and her shoes so worn that the tiny white toes were visible through the rents.

having edges that are jagged from injury

From this reading It was a little girl, thinly clad in a soiled and torn white frock; her black stockings were full of holes, and her shoes so worn that the tiny white toes were visible through the rents.

moved around an axis or center

From this reading There was something about the sorrowful looking little figure that moved her strangely, for she turned and watched it as long as she could discern the child’s face in the gathering twilight.

the time of day immediately following sunset

From this reading There was something about the sorrowful looking little figure that moved her strangely, for she turned and watched it as long as she could discern the child’s face in the gathering twilight.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading THE LITTLE STREET SINGER It was Christmas Eve, and very nearly dark, when Mrs. Lanier, driving up St. Charles Avenue in her comfortable carriage quite filled with costly presents for her children, noticed a forlorn little figure, standing alone at a street corner.

precisely as stated

From this reading THE LITTLE STREET SINGER It was Christmas Eve, and very nearly dark, when Mrs. Lanier, driving up St. Charles Avenue in her comfortable carriage quite filled with costly presents for her children, noticed a forlorn little figure, standing alone at a street corner.

capable of being seen; or open to easy view

From this reading It was a little girl, thinly clad in a soiled and torn white frock; her black stockings were full of holes, and her shoes so worn that the tiny white toes were visible through the rents.

the narrowing of the body between the ribs and hips

From this reading She hugged a thin, faded shawl around her shoulders, and her yellow hair fell in matted, tangled strands below her waist; her small face was pale and pinched, and had a woe-begone look that would melt the hardest heart.

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

From this reading THE LITTLE STREET SINGER It was Christmas Eve, and very nearly dark, when Mrs. Lanier, driving up St. Charles Avenue in her comfortable carriage quite filled with costly presents for her children, noticed a forlorn little figure, standing alone at a street corner.

past form of “watch” — look attentively

From this reading There was something about the sorrowful looking little figure that moved her strangely, for she turned and watched it as long as she could discern the child’s face in the gathering twilight.

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

From this reading It was a little girl, thinly clad in a soiled and torn white frock; her black stockings were full of holes, and her shoes so worn that the tiny white toes were visible through the rents.

at the time that

From this reading THE LITTLE STREET SINGER It was Christmas Eve, and very nearly dark, when Mrs. Lanier, driving up St. Charles Avenue in her comfortable carriage quite filled with costly presents for her children, noticed a forlorn little figure, standing alone at a street corner.

past form of “whirl” — turn in a twisting or spinning motion

From this reading Although she was soiled and ragged, she did not look like a common child, and it was that indefinable something in her appearance that attracted Mrs. Lanier’s attention, for she thought as the carriage whirled by and left the child far behind, “Poor little thing! she didn’t look like a street beggar.

a Caucasian

From this reading It was a little girl, thinly clad in a soiled and torn white frock; her black stockings were full of holes, and her shoes so worn that the tiny white toes were visible through the rents.

in the company of; together with

From this reading THE LITTLE STREET SINGER It was Christmas Eve, and very nearly dark, when Mrs. Lanier, driving up St. Charles Avenue in her comfortable carriage quite filled with costly presents for her children, noticed a forlorn little figure, standing alone at a street corner.

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

From this reading She hugged a thin, faded shawl around her shoulders, and her yellow hair fell in matted, tangled strands below her waist; her small face was pale and pinched, and had a woe-begone look that would melt the hardest heart.

Damaged or thinned by continuous use.

From this reading It was a little girl, thinly clad in a soiled and torn white frock; her black stockings were full of holes, and her shoes so worn that the tiny white toes were visible through the rents.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading She hugged a thin, faded shawl around her shoulders, and her yellow hair fell in matted, tangled strands below her waist; her small face was pale and pinched, and had a woe-begone look that would melt the hardest heart.

of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk

From this reading She hugged a thin, faded shawl around her shoulders, and her yellow hair fell in matted, tangled strands below her waist; her small face was pale and pinched, and had a woe-begone look that would melt the hardest heart.