used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading About her, billowed yards upon yards of white cotton cloth, which, in its uncut length, shifted, as she worked, almost imperceptibly piling up a snowy drift in front of her, drawn from the snowy drift behind.
AboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading About her, billowed yards upon yards of white cotton cloth, which, in its uncut length, shifted, as she worked, almost imperceptibly piling up a snowy drift in front of her, drawn from the snowy drift behind.
the state of being absent
From this reading This gradual ebb and flow was all that marked any progress in her labor, and her husband, coming in after some hours of absence and finding her, apparently, precisely where he had left her, was moved to ask what manner of garment she was making.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading This gradual ebb and flow was all that marked any progress in her labor, and her husband, coming in after some hours of absence and finding her, apparently, precisely where he had left her, was moved to ask what manner of garment she was making.
(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 This gradual ebb and flow was all that marked any progress in her labor, and her husband, coming in after some hours of absence and finding her, apparently, precisely where he had left her, was moved to ask what manner of garment she was making.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading About her, billowed yards upon yards of white cotton cloth, which, in its uncut length, shifted, as she worked, almost imperceptibly piling up a snowy drift in front of her, drawn from the snowy drift behind.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading This gradual ebb and flow was all that marked any progress in her labor, and her husband, coming in after some hours of absence and finding her, apparently, precisely where he had left her, was moved to ask what manner of garment she was making.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading This gradual ebb and flow was all that marked any progress in her labor, and her husband, coming in after some hours of absence and finding her, apparently, precisely where he had left her, was moved to ask what manner of garment she was making.
from appearances alone
From this reading This gradual ebb and flow was all that marked any progress in her labor, and her husband, coming in after some hours of absence and finding her, apparently, precisely where he had left her, was moved to ask what manner of garment she was making.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading About her, billowed yards upon yards of white cotton cloth, which, in its uncut length, shifted, as she worked, almost imperceptibly piling up a snowy drift in front of her, drawn from the snowy drift behind.
make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading This gradual ebb and flow was all that marked any progress in her labor, and her husband, coming in after some hours of absence and finding her, apparently, precisely where he had left her, was moved to ask what manner of garment she was making.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Martha Slawson sat at her sewing-machine, stitching away for dear life.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Martha Slawson sat at her sewing-machine, stitching away for dear life.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading About her, billowed yards upon yards of white cotton cloth, which, in its uncut length, shifted, as she worked, almost imperceptibly piling up a snowy drift in front of her, drawn from the snowy drift behind.
billowedverbUS /ˈbɪloʊd/
past form of “billow” — rise up as if in waves
From this reading About her, billowed yards upon yards of white cotton cloth, which, in its uncut length, shifted, as she worked, almost imperceptibly piling up a snowy drift in front of her, drawn from the snowy drift behind.
artifact made by weaving or felting or knitting or crocheting natural or synthetic fibers
From this reading About her, billowed yards upon yards of white cotton cloth, which, in its uncut length, shifted, as she worked, almost imperceptibly piling up a snowy drift in front of her, drawn from the snowy drift behind.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading This gradual ebb and flow was all that marked any progress in her labor, and her husband, coming in after some hours of absence and finding her, apparently, precisely where he had left her, was moved to ask what manner of garment she was making.
cottonnounUS /ˈkɑːtən/
soft silky fibers from cotton plants in their raw state
From this reading About her, billowed yards upon yards of white cotton cloth, which, in its uncut length, shifted, as she worked, almost imperceptibly piling up a snowy drift in front of her, drawn from the snowy drift behind.
dearly loved
From this reading Martha Slawson sat at her sewing-machine, stitching away for dear life.
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading About her, billowed yards upon yards of white cotton cloth, which, in its uncut length, shifted, as she worked, almost imperceptibly piling up a snowy drift in front of her, drawn from the snowy drift behind.
driftverbUS /drɪft/
be in motion due to some air or water current
From this reading About her, billowed yards upon yards of white cotton cloth, which, in its uncut length, shifted, as she worked, almost imperceptibly piling up a snowy drift in front of her, drawn from the snowy drift behind.
ebbverbUS /eb/
flow back or recede
From this reading This gradual ebb and flow was all that marked any progress in her labor, and her husband, coming in after some hours of absence and finding her, apparently, precisely where he had left her, was moved to ask what manner of garment she was making.
the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation
From this reading This gradual ebb and flow was all that marked any progress in her labor, and her husband, coming in after some hours of absence and finding her, apparently, precisely where he had left her, was moved to ask what manner of garment she was making.
flownounUS /floʊ/
the motion characteristic of fluids (liquids or gases)
From this reading This gradual ebb and flow was all that marked any progress in her labor, and her husband, coming in after some hours of absence and finding her, apparently, precisely where he had left her, was moved to ask what manner of garment she was making.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Martha Slawson sat at her sewing-machine, stitching away for dear life.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading About her, billowed yards upon yards of white cotton cloth, which, in its uncut length, shifted, as she worked, almost imperceptibly piling up a snowy drift in front of her, drawn from the snowy drift behind.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading About her, billowed yards upon yards of white cotton cloth, which, in its uncut length, shifted, as she worked, almost imperceptibly piling up a snowy drift in front of her, drawn from the snowy drift behind.
garmentnounUS /ˈɡɑːrmənt/
an article of clothing
From this reading This gradual ebb and flow was all that marked any progress in her labor, and her husband, coming in after some hours of absence and finding her, apparently, precisely where he had left her, was moved to ask what manner of garment she was making.
gradualadjectiveUS /ˈɡrædʒuːəl/
proceeding in small stages
From this reading This gradual ebb and flow was all that marked any progress in her labor, and her husband, coming in after some hours of absence and finding her, apparently, precisely where he had left her, was moved to ask what manner of garment she was making.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading This gradual ebb and flow was all that marked any progress in her labor, and her husband, coming in after some hours of absence and finding her, apparently, precisely where he had left her, was moved to ask what manner of garment she was making.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading This gradual ebb and flow was all that marked any progress in her labor, and her husband, coming in after some hours of absence and finding her, apparently, precisely where he had left her, was moved to ask what manner of garment she was making.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Martha Slawson sat at her sewing-machine, stitching away for dear life.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading This gradual ebb and flow was all that marked any progress in her labor, and her husband, coming in after some hours of absence and finding her, apparently, precisely where he had left her, was moved to ask what manner of garment she was making.
a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading This gradual ebb and flow was all that marked any progress in her labor, and her husband, coming in after some hours of absence and finding her, apparently, precisely where he had left her, was moved to ask what manner of garment she was making.
imperceptiblyadverbUS /ˌɪmpərˈseptɪbli/
in an imperceptible manner or to an imperceptible degree
From this reading About her, billowed yards upon yards of white cotton cloth, which, in its uncut length, shifted, as she worked, almost imperceptibly piling up a snowy drift in front of her, drawn from the snowy drift behind.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading About her, billowed yards upon yards of white cotton cloth, which, in its uncut length, shifted, as she worked, almost imperceptibly piling up a snowy drift in front of her, drawn from the snowy drift behind.
It's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It’s a motta."
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading About her, billowed yards upon yards of white cotton cloth, which, in its uncut length, shifted, as she worked, almost imperceptibly piling up a snowy drift in front of her, drawn from the snowy drift behind.
a social class comprising those who do manual labor or work for wages
From this reading This gradual ebb and flow was all that marked any progress in her labor, and her husband, coming in after some hours of absence and finding her, apparently, precisely where he had left her, was moved to ask what manner of garment she was making.
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 This gradual ebb and flow was all that marked any progress in her labor, and her husband, coming in after some hours of absence and finding her, apparently, precisely where he had left her, was moved to ask what manner of garment she was making.
the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place
From this reading About her, billowed yards upon yards of white cotton cloth, which, in its uncut length, shifted, as she worked, almost imperceptibly piling up a snowy drift in front of her, drawn from the snowy drift behind.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Martha Slawson sat at her sewing-machine, stitching away for dear life.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading This gradual ebb and flow was all that marked any progress in her labor, and her husband, coming in after some hours of absence and finding her, apparently, precisely where he had left her, was moved to ask what manner of garment she was making.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading This gradual ebb and flow was all that marked any progress in her labor, and her husband, coming in after some hours of absence and finding her, apparently, precisely where he had left her, was moved to ask what manner of garment she was making.
strongly marked; easily noticeable
From this reading This gradual ebb and flow was all that marked any progress in her labor, and her husband, coming in after some hours of absence and finding her, apparently, precisely where he had left her, was moved to ask what manner of garment she was making.
Martha
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Martha Slawson sat at her sewing-machine, stitching away for dear life.
motta
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It’s a motta."
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading This gradual ebb and flow was all that marked any progress in her labor, and her husband, coming in after some hours of absence and finding her, apparently, precisely where he had left her, was moved to ask what manner of garment she was making.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading About her, billowed yards upon yards of white cotton cloth, which, in its uncut length, shifted, as she worked, almost imperceptibly piling up a snowy drift in front of her, drawn from the snowy drift behind.
pilingnounUS /ˈpaɪlɪŋ/
a column of wood or steel or concrete that is driven into the ground to provide support for a structure
From this reading About her, billowed yards upon yards of white cotton cloth, which, in its uncut length, shifted, as she worked, almost imperceptibly piling up a snowy drift in front of her, drawn from the snowy drift behind.
preciselyadverbUS /prɪˈsaɪsli/
indicating exactness or preciseness
From this reading This gradual ebb and flow was all that marked any progress in her labor, and her husband, coming in after some hours of absence and finding her, apparently, precisely where he had left her, was moved to ask what manner of garment she was making.
gradual improvement or growth or development
From this reading This gradual ebb and flow was all that marked any progress in her labor, and her husband, coming in after some hours of absence and finding her, apparently, precisely where he had left her, was moved to ask what manner of garment she was making.
a guided missile fired from land or shipboard against an airborne target
From this reading "’Tain’t a garment at all, Sam.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Martha Slawson sat at her sewing-machine, stitching away for dear life.
sewing-machine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Martha Slawson sat at her sewing-machine, stitching away for dear life.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading About her, billowed yards upon yards of white cotton cloth, which, in its uncut length, shifted, as she worked, almost imperceptibly piling up a snowy drift in front of her, drawn from the snowy drift behind.
shiftedverbUS /ˈʃɪftɪd/
past form of “shift” — make a shift in or exchange of
From this reading About her, billowed yards upon yards of white cotton cloth, which, in its uncut length, shifted, as she worked, almost imperceptibly piling up a snowy drift in front of her, drawn from the snowy drift behind.
Slawson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Martha Slawson sat at her sewing-machine, stitching away for dear life.
snowyadjectiveUS /ˈsnoʊi/
marked by the presence of snow
From this reading About her, billowed yards upon yards of white cotton cloth, which, in its uncut length, shifted, as she worked, almost imperceptibly piling up a snowy drift in front of her, drawn from the snowy drift behind.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading This gradual ebb and flow was all that marked any progress in her labor, and her husband, coming in after some hours of absence and finding her, apparently, precisely where he had left her, was moved to ask what manner of garment she was making.
stitchingnounUS /ˈstɪtʃɪŋ/
joining or attaching by stitches
From this reading Martha Slawson sat at her sewing-machine, stitching away for dear life.
Tain't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "’Tain’t a garment at all, Sam.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading This gradual ebb and flow was all that marked any progress in her labor, and her husband, coming in after some hours of absence and finding her, apparently, precisely where he had left her, was moved to ask what manner of garment she was making.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading About her, billowed yards upon yards of white cotton cloth, which, in its uncut length, shifted, as she worked, almost imperceptibly piling up a snowy drift in front of her, drawn from the snowy drift behind.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This gradual ebb and flow was all that marked any progress in her labor, and her husband, coming in after some hours of absence and finding her, apparently, precisely where he had left her, was moved to ask what manner of garment she was making.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading This gradual ebb and flow was all that marked any progress in her labor, and her husband, coming in after some hours of absence and finding her, apparently, precisely where he had left her, was moved to ask what manner of garment she was making.
uncutadjectiveUS /ˌʌnˈkʌt/
not trimmed
From this reading About her, billowed yards upon yards of white cotton cloth, which, in its uncut length, shifted, as she worked, almost imperceptibly piling up a snowy drift in front of her, drawn from the snowy drift behind.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading About her, billowed yards upon yards of white cotton cloth, which, in its uncut length, shifted, as she worked, almost imperceptibly piling up a snowy drift in front of her, drawn from the snowy drift behind.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading About her, billowed yards upon yards of white cotton cloth, which, in its uncut length, shifted, as she worked, almost imperceptibly piling up a snowy drift in front of her, drawn from the snowy drift behind.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This gradual ebb and flow was all that marked any progress in her labor, and her husband, coming in after some hours of absence and finding her, apparently, precisely where he had left her, was moved to ask what manner of garment she was making.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading This gradual ebb and flow was all that marked any progress in her labor, and her husband, coming in after some hours of absence and finding her, apparently, precisely where he had left her, was moved to ask what manner of garment she was making.
in or at the place that
From this reading This gradual ebb and flow was all that marked any progress in her labor, and her husband, coming in after some hours of absence and finding her, apparently, precisely where he had left her, was moved to ask what manner of garment she was making.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading About her, billowed yards upon yards of white cotton cloth, which, in its uncut length, shifted, as she worked, almost imperceptibly piling up a snowy drift in front of her, drawn from the snowy drift behind.
a Caucasian
From this reading About her, billowed yards upon yards of white cotton cloth, which, in its uncut length, shifted, as she worked, almost imperceptibly piling up a snowy drift in front of her, drawn from the snowy drift behind.
past form of “work” — exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading About her, billowed yards upon yards of white cotton cloth, which, in its uncut length, shifted, as she worked, almost imperceptibly piling up a snowy drift in front of her, drawn from the snowy drift behind.
plural of “yard” — a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
From this reading About her, billowed yards upon yards of white cotton cloth, which, in its uncut length, shifted, as she worked, almost imperceptibly piling up a snowy drift in front of her, drawn from the snowy drift behind.
