used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The cheap, plain funeral was over, and the orphan sat alone in the deepening twilight in the shabby little room, now invested with a somber dignity all its own since the presence of death had so lately been there.
quickly and without warning
From this reading The door opened, and the woman from whom Mr. Vane had rented the two shabby little rooms entered abruptly.
(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 The cheap, plain funeral was over, and the orphan sat alone in the deepening twilight in the shabby little room, now invested with a somber dignity all its own since the presence of death had so lately been there.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading The cheap, plain funeral was over, and the orphan sat alone in the deepening twilight in the shabby little room, now invested with a somber dignity all its own since the presence of death had so lately been there.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The cheap, plain funeral was over, and the orphan sat alone in the deepening twilight in the shabby little room, now invested with a somber dignity all its own since the presence of death had so lately been there.
react verbally
From this reading "Come in," said Laurel, faintly, in answer to the sharp rap at the door.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading "Come in," said Laurel, faintly, in answer to the sharp rap at the door.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The cheap, plain funeral was over, and the orphan sat alone in the deepening twilight in the shabby little room, now invested with a somber dignity all its own since the presence of death had so lately been there.
of a stringed instrument; sounded by stroking with a bow
From this reading Laurel's head was bowed upon her hands, and tears coursed slowly, each one a scalding drop of woe, down her white cheeks.
cheapadjectiveUS /tʃiːp/
relatively low in price or charging low prices
From this reading The cheap, plain funeral was over, and the orphan sat alone in the deepening twilight in the shabby little room, now invested with a somber dignity all its own since the presence of death had so lately been there.
plural of “cheek” — either side of the face below the eyes
From this reading Laurel's head was bowed upon her hands, and tears coursed slowly, each one a scalding drop of woe, down her white cheeks.
coarseadjectiveUS /kɔːrs/
of textures that are rough to the touch or substances consisting of relatively large particles
From this reading She was a coarse, hard-featured creature, devoid of sympathy or sensibility.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading "Come in," said Laurel, faintly, in answer to the sharp rap at the door.
coursed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Laurel's head was bowed upon her hands, and tears coursed slowly, each one a scalding drop of woe, down her white cheeks.
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading She was a coarse, hard-featured creature, devoid of sympathy or sensibility.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading The cheap, plain funeral was over, and the orphan sat alone in the deepening twilight in the shabby little room, now invested with a somber dignity all its own since the presence of death had so lately been there.
deepeningnounUS /ˈdiːpənɪŋ/
a process of becoming deeper and more profound
From this reading The cheap, plain funeral was over, and the orphan sat alone in the deepening twilight in the shabby little room, now invested with a somber dignity all its own since the presence of death had so lately been there.
devoidadjectiveUS /dɪˈvɔɪd/
completely wanting or lacking
From this reading She was a coarse, hard-featured creature, devoid of sympathy or sensibility.
the quality of being worthy of esteem or respect
From this reading The cheap, plain funeral was over, and the orphan sat alone in the deepening twilight in the shabby little room, now invested with a somber dignity all its own since the presence of death had so lately been there.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading "Come in," said Laurel, faintly, in answer to the sharp rap at the door.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Laurel's head was bowed upon her hands, and tears coursed slowly, each one a scalding drop of woe, down her white cheeks.
let fall to the ground
From this reading Laurel's head was bowed upon her hands, and tears coursed slowly, each one a scalding drop of woe, down her white cheeks.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Laurel's head was bowed upon her hands, and tears coursed slowly, each one a scalding drop of woe, down her white cheeks.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading The door opened, and the woman from whom Mr. Vane had rented the two shabby little rooms entered abruptly.
faintlyadverbUS /ˈfeɪntli/
to a faint degree or weakly perceived
From this reading "Come in," said Laurel, faintly, in answer to the sharp rap at the door.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The door opened, and the woman from whom Mr. Vane had rented the two shabby little rooms entered abruptly.
funeralnounUS /ˈfjuːnərəl/
a ceremony at which a dead person is buried or cremated
From this reading The cheap, plain funeral was over, and the orphan sat alone in the deepening twilight in the shabby little room, now invested with a somber dignity all its own since the presence of death had so lately been there.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The cheap, plain funeral was over, and the orphan sat alone in the deepening twilight in the shabby little room, now invested with a somber dignity all its own since the presence of death had so lately been there.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading Laurel's head was bowed upon her hands, and tears coursed slowly, each one a scalding drop of woe, down her white cheeks.
hard-featured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was a coarse, hard-featured creature, devoid of sympathy or sensibility.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Laurel's head was bowed upon her hands, and tears coursed slowly, each one a scalding drop of woe, down her white cheeks.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Laurel's head was bowed upon her hands, and tears coursed slowly, each one a scalding drop of woe, down her white cheeks.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "Come in," said Laurel, faintly, in answer to the sharp rap at the door.
investedverbUS /ˌɪnˈvestəd/
past form of “invest” — make an investment
From this reading The cheap, plain funeral was over, and the orphan sat alone in the deepening twilight in the shabby little room, now invested with a somber dignity all its own since the presence of death had so lately been there.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The cheap, plain funeral was over, and the orphan sat alone in the deepening twilight in the shabby little room, now invested with a somber dignity all its own since the presence of death had so lately been there.
in the recent past
From this reading The cheap, plain funeral was over, and the orphan sat alone in the deepening twilight in the shabby little room, now invested with a somber dignity all its own since the presence of death had so lately been there.
LaurelnounUS /ˈlɔːrəl/
any of various aromatic trees of the laurel family
From this reading "Come in," said Laurel, faintly, in answer to the sharp rap at the door.
Laurel'snounUS /ˈlɔːrəlz/
possessive form of “laurel” — any of various aromatic trees of the laurel family
From this reading Laurel's head was bowed upon her hands, and tears coursed slowly, each one a scalding drop of woe, down her white cheeks.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The cheap, plain funeral was over, and the orphan sat alone in the deepening twilight in the shabby little room, now invested with a somber dignity all its own since the presence of death had so lately been there.
a form of address for a man
From this reading The door opened, and the woman from whom Mr. Vane had rented the two shabby little rooms entered abruptly.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The cheap, plain funeral was over, and the orphan sat alone in the deepening twilight in the shabby little room, now invested with a somber dignity all its own since the presence of death had so lately been there.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The cheap, plain funeral was over, and the orphan sat alone in the deepening twilight in the shabby little room, now invested with a somber dignity all its own since the presence of death had so lately been there.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Laurel's head was bowed upon her hands, and tears coursed slowly, each one a scalding drop of woe, down her white cheeks.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading The door opened, and the woman from whom Mr. Vane had rented the two shabby little rooms entered abruptly.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading She was a coarse, hard-featured creature, devoid of sympathy or sensibility.
orphannounUS /ˈɔːrfən/
a child who has lost both parents
From this reading The cheap, plain funeral was over, and the orphan sat alone in the deepening twilight in the shabby little room, now invested with a somber dignity all its own since the presence of death had so lately been there.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The cheap, plain funeral was over, and the orphan sat alone in the deepening twilight in the shabby little room, now invested with a somber dignity all its own since the presence of death had so lately been there.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading The cheap, plain funeral was over, and the orphan sat alone in the deepening twilight in the shabby little room, now invested with a somber dignity all its own since the presence of death had so lately been there.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading The cheap, plain funeral was over, and the orphan sat alone in the deepening twilight in the shabby little room, now invested with a somber dignity all its own since the presence of death had so lately been there.
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading The cheap, plain funeral was over, and the orphan sat alone in the deepening twilight in the shabby little room, now invested with a somber dignity all its own since the presence of death had so lately been there.
rapnounUS /ræp/
a reproach for some lapse or misdeed
From this reading "Come in," said Laurel, faintly, in answer to the sharp rap at the door.
rentedverbUS /ˈrentɪd/
past form of “rent” — let for money
From this reading The door opened, and the woman from whom Mr. Vane had rented the two shabby little rooms entered abruptly.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading The cheap, plain funeral was over, and the orphan sat alone in the deepening twilight in the shabby little room, now invested with a somber dignity all its own since the presence of death had so lately been there.
apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)
From this reading The door opened, and the woman from whom Mr. Vane had rented the two shabby little rooms entered abruptly.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Come in," said Laurel, faintly, in answer to the sharp rap at the door.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading The cheap, plain funeral was over, and the orphan sat alone in the deepening twilight in the shabby little room, now invested with a somber dignity all its own since the presence of death had so lately been there.
scaldingverbUS /ˈskɔːldɪŋ/
-ing form of “scald” — subject to harsh criticism
From this reading Laurel's head was bowed upon her hands, and tears coursed slowly, each one a scalding drop of woe, down her white cheeks.
sensibilitynounUS /ˌsensɪˈbɪlɪti/
mental responsiveness and awareness
From this reading She was a coarse, hard-featured creature, devoid of sympathy or sensibility.
shabbyadjectiveUS /ˈʃæbi/
showing signs of wear and tear
From this reading The cheap, plain funeral was over, and the orphan sat alone in the deepening twilight in the shabby little room, now invested with a somber dignity all its own since the presence of death had so lately been there.
(of something seen or heard) clearly defined
From this reading "Come in," said Laurel, faintly, in answer to the sharp rap at the door.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She was a coarse, hard-featured creature, devoid of sympathy or sensibility.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading The cheap, plain funeral was over, and the orphan sat alone in the deepening twilight in the shabby little room, now invested with a somber dignity all its own since the presence of death had so lately been there.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading Laurel's head was bowed upon her hands, and tears coursed slowly, each one a scalding drop of woe, down her white cheeks.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The cheap, plain funeral was over, and the orphan sat alone in the deepening twilight in the shabby little room, now invested with a somber dignity all its own since the presence of death had so lately been there.
somberadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːmbər/
lacking brightness or color; dull
From this reading The cheap, plain funeral was over, and the orphan sat alone in the deepening twilight in the shabby little room, now invested with a somber dignity all its own since the presence of death had so lately been there.
an inclination to support or be loyal to or to agree with an opinion
From this reading She was a coarse, hard-featured creature, devoid of sympathy or sensibility.
the process of shedding tears (usually accompanied by sobs or other inarticulate sounds)
From this reading Laurel's head was bowed upon her hands, and tears coursed slowly, each one a scalding drop of woe, down her white cheeks.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "Come in," said Laurel, faintly, in answer to the sharp rap at the door.
in or at that place or location
From this reading The cheap, plain funeral was over, and the orphan sat alone in the deepening twilight in the shabby little room, now invested with a somber dignity all its own since the presence of death had so lately been there.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "Come in," said Laurel, faintly, in answer to the sharp rap at the door.
twilightnounUS /ˈtwaɪlaɪt/
the time of day immediately following sunset
From this reading The cheap, plain funeral was over, and the orphan sat alone in the deepening twilight in the shabby little room, now invested with a somber dignity all its own since the presence of death had so lately been there.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The door opened, and the woman from whom Mr. Vane had rented the two shabby little rooms entered abruptly.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Laurel's head was bowed upon her hands, and tears coursed slowly, each one a scalding drop of woe, down her white cheeks.
VanenounUS /veɪn/
mechanical device attached to an elevated structure; rotates freely to show the direction of the wind
From this reading The door opened, and the woman from whom Mr. Vane had rented the two shabby little rooms entered abruptly.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The cheap, plain funeral was over, and the orphan sat alone in the deepening twilight in the shabby little room, now invested with a somber dignity all its own since the presence of death had so lately been there.
a Caucasian
From this reading Laurel's head was bowed upon her hands, and tears coursed slowly, each one a scalding drop of woe, down her white cheeks.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The door opened, and the woman from whom Mr. Vane had rented the two shabby little rooms entered abruptly.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The cheap, plain funeral was over, and the orphan sat alone in the deepening twilight in the shabby little room, now invested with a somber dignity all its own since the presence of death had so lately been there.
woenounUS /woʊ/
misery resulting from affliction
From this reading Laurel's head was bowed upon her hands, and tears coursed slowly, each one a scalding drop of woe, down her white cheeks.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading The door opened, and the woman from whom Mr. Vane had rented the two shabby little rooms entered abruptly.
