used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The hot noonday sun had beat upon her head; she drew the crimson shawl a little more over her face, but gave no signs of moving.
abutmentnoun
point of contact between two objects or parts
From this reading She had remained in the same spot at least six hours, without moving from the stone abutment against which she leaned, or turning her eyes from the door, with its iron knobs and enormous lock, which was sunk deep into the gable-end of that old building.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading She had remained in the same spot at least six hours, without moving from the stone abutment against which she leaned, or turning her eyes from the door, with its iron knobs and enormous lock, which was sunk deep into the gable-end of that old building.
AlbanynounUS /ˈɔːlbəni/
state capital of New York; located in eastern New York State on the west bank of the Hudson river
From this reading An Indian girl—no uncommon thing in the streets of Albany in the days of the Revolution—stood patiently waiting before the entrance to the jail at Albany.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading An Indian girl—no uncommon thing in the streets of Albany in the days of the Revolution—stood patiently waiting before the entrance to the jail at Albany.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She had remained in the same spot at least six hours, without moving from the stone abutment against which she leaned, or turning her eyes from the door, with its iron knobs and enormous lock, which was sunk deep into the gable-end of that old building.
past form of “approach” — move towards
From this reading It was only when some step approached near the jail, or a sound came from within, that she gave signs of the quick life burning in her bosom.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading An Indian girl—no uncommon thing in the streets of Albany in the days of the Revolution—stood patiently waiting before the entrance to the jail at Albany.
come out better in a competition, race, or conflict
From this reading The hot noonday sun had beat upon her head; she drew the crimson shawl a little more over her face, but gave no signs of moving.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The quaint gables threw their lacework shadows down where the sun had been; but she took no heed.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading An Indian girl—no uncommon thing in the streets of Albany in the days of the Revolution—stood patiently waiting before the entrance to the jail at Albany.
the chest considered as the place where secret thoughts are kept
From this reading It was only when some step approached near the jail, or a sound came from within, that she gave signs of the quick life burning in her bosom.
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading She had remained in the same spot at least six hours, without moving from the stone abutment against which she leaned, or turning her eyes from the door, with its iron knobs and enormous lock, which was sunk deep into the gable-end of that old building.
the act of burning something
From this reading It was only when some step approached near the jail, or a sound came from within, that she gave signs of the quick life burning in her bosom.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The hot noonday sun had beat upon her head; she drew the crimson shawl a little more over her face, but gave no signs of moving.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading It was only when some step approached near the jail, or a sound came from within, that she gave signs of the quick life burning in her bosom.
crimsonadjectiveUS /ˈkrɪmzən/
of a color at the end of the color spectrum (next to orange); resembling the color of blood or cherries or tomatoes or rubies
From this reading The hot noonday sun had beat upon her head; she drew the crimson shawl a little more over her face, but gave no signs of moving.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading An Indian girl—no uncommon thing in the streets of Albany in the days of the Revolution—stood patiently waiting before the entrance to the jail at Albany.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading She had remained in the same spot at least six hours, without moving from the stone abutment against which she leaned, or turning her eyes from the door, with its iron knobs and enormous lock, which was sunk deep into the gable-end of that old building.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading She had remained in the same spot at least six hours, without moving from the stone abutment against which she leaned, or turning her eyes from the door, with its iron knobs and enormous lock, which was sunk deep into the gable-end of that old building.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The quaint gables threw their lacework shadows down where the sun had been; but she took no heed.
United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)
From this reading The hot noonday sun had beat upon her head; she drew the crimson shawl a little more over her face, but gave no signs of moving.
extraordinarily large in size or extent or amount or power or degree
From this reading She had remained in the same spot at least six hours, without moving from the stone abutment against which she leaned, or turning her eyes from the door, with its iron knobs and enormous lock, which was sunk deep into the gable-end of that old building.
something that provides access (to get in or get out)
From this reading An Indian girl—no uncommon thing in the streets of Albany in the days of the Revolution—stood patiently waiting before the entrance to the jail at Albany.
opinion or judgment
From this reading She had remained in the same spot at least six hours, without moving from the stone abutment against which she leaned, or turning her eyes from the door, with its iron knobs and enormous lock, which was sunk deep into the gable-end of that old building.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading The hot noonday sun had beat upon her head; she drew the crimson shawl a little more over her face, but gave no signs of moving.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading She had remained in the same spot at least six hours, without moving from the stone abutment against which she leaned, or turning her eyes from the door, with its iron knobs and enormous lock, which was sunk deep into the gable-end of that old building.
gable-end
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had remained in the same spot at least six hours, without moving from the stone abutment against which she leaned, or turning her eyes from the door, with its iron knobs and enormous lock, which was sunk deep into the gable-end of that old building.
gablesnounUS /ˈɡeɪbəlz/
plural of “gable” — the vertical triangular wall between the sloping ends of gable roof
From this reading The quaint gables threw their lacework shadows down where the sun had been; but she took no heed.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading The hot noonday sun had beat upon her head; she drew the crimson shawl a little more over her face, but gave no signs of moving.
a young female
From this reading An Indian girl—no uncommon thing in the streets of Albany in the days of the Revolution—stood patiently waiting before the entrance to the jail at Albany.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She had remained in the same spot at least six hours, without moving from the stone abutment against which she leaned, or turning her eyes from the door, with its iron knobs and enormous lock, which was sunk deep into the gable-end of that old building.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading The hot noonday sun had beat upon her head; she drew the crimson shawl a little more over her face, but gave no signs of moving.
heednounUS /hiːd/
paying particular notice (as to children or helpless people)
From this reading The quaint gables threw their lacework shadows down where the sun had been; but she took no heed.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She had remained in the same spot at least six hours, without moving from the stone abutment against which she leaned, or turning her eyes from the door, with its iron knobs and enormous lock, which was sunk deep into the gable-end of that old building.
used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning
From this reading The hot noonday sun had beat upon her head; she drew the crimson shawl a little more over her face, but gave no signs of moving.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading She had remained in the same spot at least six hours, without moving from the stone abutment against which she leaned, or turning her eyes from the door, with its iron knobs and enormous lock, which was sunk deep into the gable-end of that old building.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading An Indian girl—no uncommon thing in the streets of Albany in the days of the Revolution—stood patiently waiting before the entrance to the jail at Albany.
of or relating to or characteristic of India or the East Indies or their peoples or languages or cultures
From this reading An Indian girl—no uncommon thing in the streets of Albany in the days of the Revolution—stood patiently waiting before the entrance to the jail at Albany.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading She had remained in the same spot at least six hours, without moving from the stone abutment against which she leaned, or turning her eyes from the door, with its iron knobs and enormous lock, which was sunk deep into the gable-end of that old building.
a heavy ductile magnetic metallic element; is silver-white in pure form but readily rusts; used in construction and tools and armament; plays a role in the transport of oxygen by the blood
From this reading She had remained in the same spot at least six hours, without moving from the stone abutment against which she leaned, or turning her eyes from the door, with its iron knobs and enormous lock, which was sunk deep into the gable-end of that old building.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was only when some step approached near the jail, or a sound came from within, that she gave signs of the quick life burning in her bosom.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading She had remained in the same spot at least six hours, without moving from the stone abutment against which she leaned, or turning her eyes from the door, with its iron knobs and enormous lock, which was sunk deep into the gable-end of that old building.
jailnounUS /dʒeɪl/
a correctional institution used to detain persons who are in the lawful custody of the government (either accused persons awaiting trial or convicted persons serving a sentence)
From this reading An Indian girl—no uncommon thing in the streets of Albany in the days of the Revolution—stood patiently waiting before the entrance to the jail at Albany.
knobsnounUS /nɑːbz/
plural of “knob” — a circular rounded projection or protuberance
From this reading She had remained in the same spot at least six hours, without moving from the stone abutment against which she leaned, or turning her eyes from the door, with its iron knobs and enormous lock, which was sunk deep into the gable-end of that old building.
laceworknoun
work consisting of (or resembling) lace fabric
From this reading The quaint gables threw their lacework shadows down where the sun had been; but she took no heed.
past form of “lean” — to incline or bend from a vertical position
From this reading She had remained in the same spot at least six hours, without moving from the stone abutment against which she leaned, or turning her eyes from the door, with its iron knobs and enormous lock, which was sunk deep into the gable-end of that old building.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading She had remained in the same spot at least six hours, without moving from the stone abutment against which she leaned, or turning her eyes from the door, with its iron knobs and enormous lock, which was sunk deep into the gable-end of that old building.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading It was only when some step approached near the jail, or a sound came from within, that she gave signs of the quick life burning in her bosom.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The hot noonday sun had beat upon her head; she drew the crimson shawl a little more over her face, but gave no signs of moving.
fasten with a lock
From this reading She had remained in the same spot at least six hours, without moving from the stone abutment against which she leaned, or turning her eyes from the door, with its iron knobs and enormous lock, which was sunk deep into the gable-end of that old building.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The hot noonday sun had beat upon her head; she drew the crimson shawl a little more over her face, but gave no signs of moving.
in motion
From this reading She had remained in the same spot at least six hours, without moving from the stone abutment against which she leaned, or turning her eyes from the door, with its iron knobs and enormous lock, which was sunk deep into the gable-end of that old building.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading It was only when some step approached near the jail, or a sound came from within, that she gave signs of the quick life burning in her bosom.
not any; not one
From this reading An Indian girl—no uncommon thing in the streets of Albany in the days of the Revolution—stood patiently waiting before the entrance to the jail at Albany.
noondaynoun
the middle of the day
From this reading The hot noonday sun had beat upon her head; she drew the crimson shawl a little more over her face, but gave no signs of moving.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading An Indian girl—no uncommon thing in the streets of Albany in the days of the Revolution—stood patiently waiting before the entrance to the jail at Albany.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading She had remained in the same spot at least six hours, without moving from the stone abutment against which she leaned, or turning her eyes from the door, with its iron knobs and enormous lock, which was sunk deep into the gable-end of that old building.
and nothing more
From this reading It was only when some step approached near the jail, or a sound came from within, that she gave signs of the quick life burning in her bosom.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading She had remained in the same spot at least six hours, without moving from the stone abutment against which she leaned, or turning her eyes from the door, with its iron knobs and enormous lock, which was sunk deep into the gable-end of that old building.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The hot noonday sun had beat upon her head; she drew the crimson shawl a little more over her face, but gave no signs of moving.
patientlyadverbUS /ˈpeɪʃəntli/
with patience; in a patient manner
From this reading An Indian girl—no uncommon thing in the streets of Albany in the days of the Revolution—stood patiently waiting before the entrance to the jail at Albany.
quaintadjectiveUS /kweɪnt/
strange in an interesting or pleasing way
From this reading The quaint gables threw their lacework shadows down where the sun had been; but she took no heed.
accomplished rapidly and without delay
From this reading It was only when some step approached near the jail, or a sound came from within, that she gave signs of the quick life burning in her bosom.
past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading She had remained in the same spot at least six hours, without moving from the stone abutment against which she leaned, or turning her eyes from the door, with its iron knobs and enormous lock, which was sunk deep into the gable-end of that old building.
RevolutionnounUS /ˌrevəˈluːʃən/
a drastic and far-reaching change in ways of thinking and behaving
From this reading An Indian girl—no uncommon thing in the streets of Albany in the days of the Revolution—stood patiently waiting before the entrance to the jail at Albany.
Identical; not different.
From this reading She had remained in the same spot at least six hours, without moving from the stone abutment against which she leaned, or turning her eyes from the door, with its iron knobs and enormous lock, which was sunk deep into the gable-end of that old building.
plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries
From this reading The quaint gables threw their lacework shadows down where the sun had been; but she took no heed.
shawlnounUS /ʃɔːl/
cloak consisting of an oblong piece of cloth used to cover the head and shoulders
From this reading The hot noonday sun had beat upon her head; she drew the crimson shawl a little more over her face, but gave no signs of moving.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She had remained in the same spot at least six hours, without moving from the stone abutment against which she leaned, or turning her eyes from the door, with its iron knobs and enormous lock, which was sunk deep into the gable-end of that old building.
plural of “sign” — a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading The hot noonday sun had beat upon her head; she drew the crimson shawl a little more over her face, but gave no signs of moving.
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading She had remained in the same spot at least six hours, without moving from the stone abutment against which she leaned, or turning her eyes from the door, with its iron knobs and enormous lock, which was sunk deep into the gable-end of that old building.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading It was only when some step approached near the jail, or a sound came from within, that she gave signs of the quick life burning in her bosom.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading It was only when some step approached near the jail, or a sound came from within, that she gave signs of the quick life burning in her bosom.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading She had remained in the same spot at least six hours, without moving from the stone abutment against which she leaned, or turning her eyes from the door, with its iron knobs and enormous lock, which was sunk deep into the gable-end of that old building.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading It was only when some step approached near the jail, or a sound came from within, that she gave signs of the quick life burning in her bosom.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading She had remained in the same spot at least six hours, without moving from the stone abutment against which she leaned, or turning her eyes from the door, with its iron knobs and enormous lock, which was sunk deep into the gable-end of that old building.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading An Indian girl—no uncommon thing in the streets of Albany in the days of the Revolution—stood patiently waiting before the entrance to the jail at Albany.
plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading An Indian girl—no uncommon thing in the streets of Albany in the days of the Revolution—stood patiently waiting before the entrance to the jail at Albany.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading The hot noonday sun had beat upon her head; she drew the crimson shawl a little more over her face, but gave no signs of moving.
sunkadjectiveUS /sʌŋk/
doomed to extinction
From this reading She had remained in the same spot at least six hours, without moving from the stone abutment against which she leaned, or turning her eyes from the door, with its iron knobs and enormous lock, which was sunk deep into the gable-end of that old building.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She had remained in the same spot at least six hours, without moving from the stone abutment against which she leaned, or turning her eyes from the door, with its iron knobs and enormous lock, which was sunk deep into the gable-end of that old building.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading An Indian girl—no uncommon thing in the streets of Albany in the days of the Revolution—stood patiently waiting before the entrance to the jail at Albany.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The quaint gables threw their lacework shadows down where the sun had been; but she took no heed.
a special situation
From this reading An Indian girl—no uncommon thing in the streets of Albany in the days of the Revolution—stood patiently waiting before the entrance to the jail at Albany.
inflected form of “throw” — propel through the air
From this reading The quaint gables threw their lacework shadows down where the sun had been; but she took no heed.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading An Indian girl—no uncommon thing in the streets of Albany in the days of the Revolution—stood patiently waiting before the entrance to the jail at Albany.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading The quaint gables threw their lacework shadows down where the sun had been; but she took no heed.
the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course
From this reading She had remained in the same spot at least six hours, without moving from the stone abutment against which she leaned, or turning her eyes from the door, with its iron knobs and enormous lock, which was sunk deep into the gable-end of that old building.
uncommonadjectiveUS /ənˈkɑːmən/
not common or ordinarily encountered; unusually great in amount or remarkable in character or kind
From this reading An Indian girl—no uncommon thing in the streets of Albany in the days of the Revolution—stood patiently waiting before the entrance to the jail at Albany.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The hot noonday sun had beat upon her head; she drew the crimson shawl a little more over her face, but gave no signs of moving.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading An Indian girl—no uncommon thing in the streets of Albany in the days of the Revolution—stood patiently waiting before the entrance to the jail at Albany.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She had remained in the same spot at least six hours, without moving from the stone abutment against which she leaned, or turning her eyes from the door, with its iron knobs and enormous lock, which was sunk deep into the gable-end of that old building.
at the time that
From this reading It was only when some step approached near the jail, or a sound came from within, that she gave signs of the quick life burning in her bosom.
in or at the place that
From this reading The quaint gables threw their lacework shadows down where the sun had been; but she took no heed.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading She had remained in the same spot at least six hours, without moving from the stone abutment against which she leaned, or turning her eyes from the door, with its iron knobs and enormous lock, which was sunk deep into the gable-end of that old building.
in the company of; together with
From this reading She had remained in the same spot at least six hours, without moving from the stone abutment against which she leaned, or turning her eyes from the door, with its iron knobs and enormous lock, which was sunk deep into the gable-end of that old building.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading It was only when some step approached near the jail, or a sound came from within, that she gave signs of the quick life burning in her bosom.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading She had remained in the same spot at least six hours, without moving from the stone abutment against which she leaned, or turning her eyes from the door, with its iron knobs and enormous lock, which was sunk deep into the gable-end of that old building.
