absorbedadjectiveUS /əbˈzɔːrbd/
giving or marked by complete attention to
From this reading Her whole mind was absorbed with one thought.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading In the hall was the young widow with her children, an important English nurse, and the Ayah with the baby--the children crying, the Ayah moaning, and Mrs. Charles wondering why no one came to receive her; while in the library the scene was occurring which we have described.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading In the hall was the young widow with her children, an important English nurse, and the Ayah with the baby--the children crying, the Ayah moaning, and Mrs. Charles wondering why no one came to receive her; while in the library the scene was occurring which we have described.
any thing at all
From this reading She had not heard anything; or rather some dim perceptions that something had happened had penetrated her stupor without rousing her to think what it was.
Ayahnoun
(in India) a native nursemaid who looks after children
From this reading In the hall was the young widow with her children, an important English nurse, and the Ayah with the baby--the children crying, the Ayah moaning, and Mrs. Charles wondering why no one came to receive her; while in the library the scene was occurring which we have described.
a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk
From this reading In the hall was the young widow with her children, an important English nurse, and the Ayah with the baby--the children crying, the Ayah moaning, and Mrs. Charles wondering why no one came to receive her; while in the library the scene was occurring which we have described.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It would be hopeless to describe the condition of Pitcomlie during the rest of that terrible day.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading In the hall was the young widow with her children, an important English nurse, and the Ayah with the baby--the children crying, the Ayah moaning, and Mrs. Charles wondering why no one came to receive her; while in the library the scene was occurring which we have described.
King of France from 1560 to 1574 whose reign was dominated by his mother Catherine de Medicis (1550-1574)
From this reading In the hall was the young widow with her children, an important English nurse, and the Ayah with the baby--the children crying, the Ayah moaning, and Mrs. Charles wondering why no one came to receive her; while in the library the scene was occurring which we have described.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading In the hall was the young widow with her children, an important English nurse, and the Ayah with the baby--the children crying, the Ayah moaning, and Mrs. Charles wondering why no one came to receive her; while in the library the scene was occurring which we have described.
a state at a particular time
From this reading It would be hopeless to describe the condition of Pitcomlie during the rest of that terrible day.
demanding attention
From this reading In the hall was the young widow with her children, an important English nurse, and the Ayah with the baby--the children crying, the Ayah moaning, and Mrs. Charles wondering why no one came to receive her; while in the library the scene was occurring which we have described.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading It would be hopeless to describe the condition of Pitcomlie during the rest of that terrible day.
give a description of
From this reading It would be hopeless to describe the condition of Pitcomlie during the rest of that terrible day.
represented in words especially with sharpness and detail
From this reading In the hall was the young widow with her children, an important English nurse, and the Ayah with the baby--the children crying, the Ayah moaning, and Mrs. Charles wondering why no one came to receive her; while in the library the scene was occurring which we have described.
lacking in light; not bright or harsh
From this reading She had not heard anything; or rather some dim perceptions that something had happened had penetrated her stupor without rousing her to think what it was.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading It would be hopeless to describe the condition of Pitcomlie during the rest of that terrible day.
an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries
From this reading In the hall was the young widow with her children, an important English nurse, and the Ayah with the baby--the children crying, the Ayah moaning, and Mrs. Charles wondering why no one came to receive her; while in the library the scene was occurring which we have described.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She had not heard anything; or rather some dim perceptions that something had happened had penetrated her stupor without rousing her to think what it was.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading In the hall was the young widow with her children, an important English nurse, and the Ayah with the baby--the children crying, the Ayah moaning, and Mrs. Charles wondering why no one came to receive her; while in the library the scene was occurring which we have described.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading She had not heard anything; or rather some dim perceptions that something had happened had penetrated her stupor without rousing her to think what it was.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading In the hall was the young widow with her children, an important English nurse, and the Ayah with the baby--the children crying, the Ayah moaning, and Mrs. Charles wondering why no one came to receive her; while in the library the scene was occurring which we have described.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading She had not heard anything; or rather some dim perceptions that something had happened had penetrated her stupor without rousing her to think what it was.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading In the hall was the young widow with her children, an important English nurse, and the Ayah with the baby--the children crying, the Ayah moaning, and Mrs. Charles wondering why no one came to receive her; while in the library the scene was occurring which we have described.
hopelessadjectiveUS /ˈhoʊpləs/
without hope because there seems to be no possibility of comfort or success
From this reading It would be hopeless to describe the condition of Pitcomlie during the rest of that terrible day.
of great significance or value
From this reading In the hall was the young widow with her children, an important English nurse, and the Ayah with the baby--the children crying, the Ayah moaning, and Mrs. Charles wondering why no one came to receive her; while in the library the scene was occurring which we have described.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In the hall was the young widow with her children, an important English nurse, and the Ayah with the baby--the children crying, the Ayah moaning, and Mrs. Charles wondering why no one came to receive her; while in the library the scene was occurring which we have described.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It would be hopeless to describe the condition of Pitcomlie during the rest of that terrible day.
a room where books are kept
From this reading In the hall was the young widow with her children, an important English nurse, and the Ayah with the baby--the children crying, the Ayah moaning, and Mrs. Charles wondering why no one came to receive her; while in the library the scene was occurring which we have described.
Marjory
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marjory was still seated on the steps of the sun-dial.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading Her whole mind was absorbed with one thought.
moaningverbUS /ˈmoʊnɪŋ/
-ing form of “moan” — indicate pain, discomfort, or displeasure
From this reading In the hall was the young widow with her children, an important English nurse, and the Ayah with the baby--the children crying, the Ayah moaning, and Mrs. Charles wondering why no one came to receive her; while in the library the scene was occurring which we have described.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading In the hall was the young widow with her children, an important English nurse, and the Ayah with the baby--the children crying, the Ayah moaning, and Mrs. Charles wondering why no one came to receive her; while in the library the scene was occurring which we have described.
not any; not one
From this reading In the hall was the young widow with her children, an important English nurse, and the Ayah with the baby--the children crying, the Ayah moaning, and Mrs. Charles wondering why no one came to receive her; while in the library the scene was occurring which we have described.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She had not heard anything; or rather some dim perceptions that something had happened had penetrated her stupor without rousing her to think what it was.
try to cure by special care of treatment, of an illness or injury
From this reading In the hall was the young widow with her children, an important English nurse, and the Ayah with the baby--the children crying, the Ayah moaning, and Mrs. Charles wondering why no one came to receive her; while in the library the scene was occurring which we have described.
occurringverbUS /əˈkɜːrɪŋ/
inflected form of “occur” — come to pass
From this reading In the hall was the young widow with her children, an important English nurse, and the Ayah with the baby--the children crying, the Ayah moaning, and Mrs. Charles wondering why no one came to receive her; while in the library the scene was occurring which we have described.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It would be hopeless to describe the condition of Pitcomlie during the rest of that terrible day.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Marjory was still seated on the steps of the sun-dial.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading In the hall was the young widow with her children, an important English nurse, and the Ayah with the baby--the children crying, the Ayah moaning, and Mrs. Charles wondering why no one came to receive her; while in the library the scene was occurring which we have described.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading She had not heard anything; or rather some dim perceptions that something had happened had penetrated her stupor without rousing her to think what it was.
penetratedverbUS /ˈpenətreɪtɪd/
past form of “penetrate” — pass into or through, often by overcoming resistance
From this reading She had not heard anything; or rather some dim perceptions that something had happened had penetrated her stupor without rousing her to think what it was.
perceptionsnounUS /pərˈsepʃənz/
plural of “perception” — the representation of what is perceived; basic component in the formation of a concept
From this reading She had not heard anything; or rather some dim perceptions that something had happened had penetrated her stupor without rousing her to think what it was.
Pitcomlie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It would be hopeless to describe the condition of Pitcomlie during the rest of that terrible day.
on the contrary
From this reading She had not heard anything; or rather some dim perceptions that something had happened had penetrated her stupor without rousing her to think what it was.
get something; come into possession of
From this reading In the hall was the young widow with her children, an important English nurse, and the Ayah with the baby--the children crying, the Ayah moaning, and Mrs. Charles wondering why no one came to receive her; while in the library the scene was occurring which we have described.
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading It would be hopeless to describe the condition of Pitcomlie during the rest of that terrible day.
rousingadjectiveUS /ˈraʊzɪŋ/
capable of arousing enthusiasm or excitement
From this reading She had not heard anything; or rather some dim perceptions that something had happened had penetrated her stupor without rousing her to think what it was.
the place where some action occurs
From this reading In the hall was the young widow with her children, an important English nurse, and the Ayah with the baby--the children crying, the Ayah moaning, and Mrs. Charles wondering why no one came to receive her; while in the library the scene was occurring which we have described.
(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks
From this reading Marjory was still seated on the steps of the sun-dial.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She had not heard anything; or rather some dim perceptions that something had happened had penetrated her stupor without rousing her to think what it was.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading She had not heard anything; or rather some dim perceptions that something had happened had penetrated her stupor without rousing her to think what it was.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading She had not heard anything; or rather some dim perceptions that something had happened had penetrated her stupor without rousing her to think what it was.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading Marjory was still seated on the steps of the sun-dial.
not in physical motion
From this reading Marjory was still seated on the steps of the sun-dial.
stupornounUS /ˈstuːpər/
the feeling of distress and disbelief that you have when something bad happens accidentally
From this reading She had not heard anything; or rather some dim perceptions that something had happened had penetrated her stupor without rousing her to think what it was.
sun-dial
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marjory was still seated on the steps of the sun-dial.
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading It would be hopeless to describe the condition of Pitcomlie during the rest of that terrible day.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It would be hopeless to describe the condition of Pitcomlie during the rest of that terrible day.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It would be hopeless to describe the condition of Pitcomlie during the rest of that terrible day.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading She had not heard anything; or rather some dim perceptions that something had happened had penetrated her stupor without rousing her to think what it was.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Her whole mind was absorbed with one thought.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It would be hopeless to describe the condition of Pitcomlie during the rest of that terrible day.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In the hall was the young widow with her children, an important English nurse, and the Ayah with the baby--the children crying, the Ayah moaning, and Mrs. Charles wondering why no one came to receive her; while in the library the scene was occurring which we have described.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading In the hall was the young widow with her children, an important English nurse, and the Ayah with the baby--the children crying, the Ayah moaning, and Mrs. Charles wondering why no one came to receive her; while in the library the scene was occurring which we have described.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading She had not heard anything; or rather some dim perceptions that something had happened had penetrated her stupor without rousing her to think what it was.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading In the hall was the young widow with her children, an important English nurse, and the Ayah with the baby--the children crying, the Ayah moaning, and Mrs. Charles wondering why no one came to receive her; while in the library the scene was occurring which we have described.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading In the hall was the young widow with her children, an important English nurse, and the Ayah with the baby--the children crying, the Ayah moaning, and Mrs. Charles wondering why no one came to receive her; while in the library the scene was occurring which we have described.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading Her whole mind was absorbed with one thought.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading In the hall was the young widow with her children, an important English nurse, and the Ayah with the baby--the children crying, the Ayah moaning, and Mrs. Charles wondering why no one came to receive her; while in the library the scene was occurring which we have described.
a woman whose husband is dead especially one who has not remarried
From this reading In the hall was the young widow with her children, an important English nurse, and the Ayah with the baby--the children crying, the Ayah moaning, and Mrs. Charles wondering why no one came to receive her; while in the library the scene was occurring which we have described.
in the company of; together with
From this reading In the hall was the young widow with her children, an important English nurse, and the Ayah with the baby--the children crying, the Ayah moaning, and Mrs. Charles wondering why no one came to receive her; while in the library the scene was occurring which we have described.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading She had not heard anything; or rather some dim perceptions that something had happened had penetrated her stupor without rousing her to think what it was.
showing curiosity
From this reading In the hall was the young widow with her children, an important English nurse, and the Ayah with the baby--the children crying, the Ayah moaning, and Mrs. Charles wondering why no one came to receive her; while in the library the scene was occurring which we have described.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It would be hopeless to describe the condition of Pitcomlie during the rest of that terrible day.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading In the hall was the young widow with her children, an important English nurse, and the Ayah with the baby--the children crying, the Ayah moaning, and Mrs. Charles wondering why no one came to receive her; while in the library the scene was occurring which we have described.
