used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A mystery no longer, but a living, breathing, panting woman, with wild, rolling eyes, masses of jet-black hair streaked with gray streaming down her back, and long white arms and hands, which beat the air helplessly as she tried to escape from the firm grasp of her attendant, Mrs. Jenks.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading A mystery no longer, but a living, breathing, panting woman, with wild, rolling eyes, masses of jet-black hair streaked with gray streaming down her back, and long white arms and hands, which beat the air helplessly as she tried to escape from the firm grasp of her attendant, Mrs. Jenks.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading For an instant she was tempted to flee from the room, but Mrs. Jenks had her patient under control by virtue of superior strength.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A mystery no longer, but a living, breathing, panting woman, with wild, rolling eyes, masses of jet-black hair streaked with gray streaming down her back, and long white arms and hands, which beat the air helplessly as she tried to escape from the firm grasp of her attendant, Mrs. Jenks.
appalledadjectiveUS /əˈpɔːld/
struck with fear, dread, or consternation
From this reading It was Magdalen’s first close contact with a maniac, and she drew back a step or two, appalled by the wild outcry with which the woman greeted her, and the desperate spring she made toward the spot where she was standing.
weapons considered collectively
From this reading A mystery no longer, but a living, breathing, panting woman, with wild, rolling eyes, masses of jet-black hair streaked with gray streaming down her back, and long white arms and hands, which beat the air helplessly as she tried to escape from the firm grasp of her attendant, Mrs. Jenks.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A mystery no longer, but a living, breathing, panting woman, with wild, rolling eyes, masses of jet-black hair streaked with gray streaming down her back, and long white arms and hands, which beat the air helplessly as she tried to escape from the firm grasp of her attendant, Mrs. Jenks.
attendantnounUS /əˈtendənt/
someone who waits on or tends to or attends to the needs of another
From this reading A mystery no longer, but a living, breathing, panting woman, with wild, rolling eyes, masses of jet-black hair streaked with gray streaming down her back, and long white arms and hands, which beat the air helplessly as she tried to escape from the firm grasp of her attendant, Mrs. Jenks.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading A mystery no longer, but a living, breathing, panting woman, with wild, rolling eyes, masses of jet-black hair streaked with gray streaming down her back, and long white arms and hands, which beat the air helplessly as she tried to escape from the firm grasp of her attendant, Mrs. Jenks.
come out better in a competition, race, or conflict
From this reading A mystery no longer, but a living, breathing, panting woman, with wild, rolling eyes, masses of jet-black hair streaked with gray streaming down her back, and long white arms and hands, which beat the air helplessly as she tried to escape from the firm grasp of her attendant, Mrs. Jenks.
the bodily process of inhalation and exhalation; the process of taking in oxygen from inhaled air and releasing carbon dioxide by exhalation
From this reading A mystery no longer, but a living, breathing, panting woman, with wild, rolling eyes, masses of jet-black hair streaked with gray streaming down her back, and long white arms and hands, which beat the air helplessly as she tried to escape from the firm grasp of her attendant, Mrs. Jenks.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading A mystery no longer, but a living, breathing, panting woman, with wild, rolling eyes, masses of jet-black hair streaked with gray streaming down her back, and long white arms and hands, which beat the air helplessly as she tried to escape from the firm grasp of her attendant, Mrs. Jenks.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It was Magdalen’s first close contact with a maniac, and she drew back a step or two, appalled by the wild outcry with which the woman greeted her, and the desperate spring she made toward the spot where she was standing.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading It was Magdalen’s first close contact with a maniac, and she drew back a step or two, appalled by the wild outcry with which the woman greeted her, and the desperate spring she made toward the spot where she was standing.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading “Come nearer and see what effect your speaking to her will have.
contactnounUS /ˈkɑːntækt/
close interaction
From this reading It was Magdalen’s first close contact with a maniac, and she drew back a step or two, appalled by the wild outcry with which the woman greeted her, and the desperate spring she made toward the spot where she was standing.
power to direct or determine
From this reading For an instant she was tempted to flee from the room, but Mrs. Jenks had her patient under control by virtue of superior strength.
arising from or marked by despair or loss of hope
From this reading It was Magdalen’s first close contact with a maniac, and she drew back a step or two, appalled by the wild outcry with which the woman greeted her, and the desperate spring she made toward the spot where she was standing.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading A mystery no longer, but a living, breathing, panting woman, with wild, rolling eyes, masses of jet-black hair streaked with gray streaming down her back, and long white arms and hands, which beat the air helplessly as she tried to escape from the firm grasp of her attendant, Mrs. Jenks.
United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)
From this reading It was Magdalen’s first close contact with a maniac, and she drew back a step or two, appalled by the wild outcry with which the woman greeted her, and the desperate spring she made toward the spot where she was standing.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading “Come nearer and see what effect your speaking to her will have.
the act of escaping physically
From this reading A mystery no longer, but a living, breathing, panting woman, with wild, rolling eyes, masses of jet-black hair streaked with gray streaming down her back, and long white arms and hands, which beat the air helplessly as she tried to escape from the firm grasp of her attendant, Mrs. Jenks.
escapingverbUS /ɪˈskeɪpɪŋ/
-ing form of “escape” — run away from confinement
From this reading There was no escaping from the vice-like grasp of her strong arms, and so Magdalen stood still and gazed spellbound upon the terrible spectacle.
opinion or judgment
From this reading A mystery no longer, but a living, breathing, panting woman, with wild, rolling eyes, masses of jet-black hair streaked with gray streaming down her back, and long white arms and hands, which beat the air helplessly as she tried to escape from the firm grasp of her attendant, Mrs. Jenks.
marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable
From this reading A mystery no longer, but a living, breathing, panting woman, with wild, rolling eyes, masses of jet-black hair streaked with gray streaming down her back, and long white arms and hands, which beat the air helplessly as she tried to escape from the firm grasp of her attendant, Mrs. Jenks.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading It was Magdalen’s first close contact with a maniac, and she drew back a step or two, appalled by the wild outcry with which the woman greeted her, and the desperate spring she made toward the spot where she was standing.
fleeverbUS /fliː/
run away quickly
From this reading For an instant she was tempted to flee from the room, but Mrs. Jenks had her patient under control by virtue of superior strength.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For an instant she was tempted to flee from the room, but Mrs. Jenks had her patient under control by virtue of superior strength.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A mystery no longer, but a living, breathing, panting woman, with wild, rolling eyes, masses of jet-black hair streaked with gray streaming down her back, and long white arms and hands, which beat the air helplessly as she tried to escape from the firm grasp of her attendant, Mrs. Jenks.
past form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading There was no escaping from the vice-like grasp of her strong arms, and so Magdalen stood still and gazed spellbound upon the terrible spectacle.
hold firmly
From this reading A mystery no longer, but a living, breathing, panting woman, with wild, rolling eyes, masses of jet-black hair streaked with gray streaming down her back, and long white arms and hands, which beat the air helplessly as she tried to escape from the firm grasp of her attendant, Mrs. Jenks.
a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
From this reading A mystery no longer, but a living, breathing, panting woman, with wild, rolling eyes, masses of jet-black hair streaked with gray streaming down her back, and long white arms and hands, which beat the air helplessly as she tried to escape from the firm grasp of her attendant, Mrs. Jenks.
past form of “greet” — express greetings upon meeting someone
From this reading It was Magdalen’s first close contact with a maniac, and she drew back a step or two, appalled by the wild outcry with which the woman greeted her, and the desperate spring she made toward the spot where she was standing.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading For an instant she was tempted to flee from the room, but Mrs. Jenks had her patient under control by virtue of superior strength.
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 A mystery no longer, but a living, breathing, panting woman, with wild, rolling eyes, masses of jet-black hair streaked with gray streaming down her back, and long white arms and hands, which beat the air helplessly as she tried to escape from the firm grasp of her attendant, Mrs. Jenks.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading A mystery no longer, but a living, breathing, panting woman, with wild, rolling eyes, masses of jet-black hair streaked with gray streaming down her back, and long white arms and hands, which beat the air helplessly as she tried to escape from the firm grasp of her attendant, Mrs. Jenks.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “Come nearer and see what effect your speaking to her will have.
helplesslyadverbUS /ˈhelpləsli/
in a helpless manner
From this reading A mystery no longer, but a living, breathing, panting woman, with wild, rolling eyes, masses of jet-black hair streaked with gray streaming down her back, and long white arms and hands, which beat the air helplessly as she tried to escape from the firm grasp of her attendant, Mrs. Jenks.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading A mystery no longer, but a living, breathing, panting woman, with wild, rolling eyes, masses of jet-black hair streaked with gray streaming down her back, and long white arms and hands, which beat the air helplessly as she tried to escape from the firm grasp of her attendant, Mrs. Jenks.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading For an instant she was tempted to flee from the room, but Mrs. Jenks had her patient under control by virtue of superior strength.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was Magdalen’s first close contact with a maniac, and she drew back a step or two, appalled by the wild outcry with which the woman greeted her, and the desperate spring she made toward the spot where she was standing.
Jenks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A mystery no longer, but a living, breathing, panting woman, with wild, rolling eyes, masses of jet-black hair streaked with gray streaming down her back, and long white arms and hands, which beat the air helplessly as she tried to escape from the firm grasp of her attendant, Mrs. Jenks.
jet-blackadjective
of the blackest black; similar to the color of jet or coal
From this reading A mystery no longer, but a living, breathing, panting woman, with wild, rolling eyes, masses of jet-black hair streaked with gray streaming down her back, and long white arms and hands, which beat the air helplessly as she tried to escape from the firm grasp of her attendant, Mrs. Jenks.
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
From this reading A mystery no longer, but a living, breathing, panting woman, with wild, rolling eyes, masses of jet-black hair streaked with gray streaming down her back, and long white arms and hands, which beat the air helplessly as she tried to escape from the firm grasp of her attendant, Mrs. Jenks.
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 A mystery no longer, but a living, breathing, panting woman, with wild, rolling eyes, masses of jet-black hair streaked with gray streaming down her back, and long white arms and hands, which beat the air helplessly as she tried to escape from the firm grasp of her attendant, Mrs. Jenks.
for more time
From this reading A mystery no longer, but a living, breathing, panting woman, with wild, rolling eyes, masses of jet-black hair streaked with gray streaming down her back, and long white arms and hands, which beat the air helplessly as she tried to escape from the firm grasp of her attendant, Mrs. Jenks.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading It was Magdalen’s first close contact with a maniac, and she drew back a step or two, appalled by the wild outcry with which the woman greeted her, and the desperate spring she made toward the spot where she was standing.
MagdalennounUS /ˈmæɡdələn/
a reformed prostitute
From this reading There was no escaping from the vice-like grasp of her strong arms, and so Magdalen stood still and gazed spellbound upon the terrible spectacle.
Magdalen's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was Magdalen’s first close contact with a maniac, and she drew back a step or two, appalled by the wild outcry with which the woman greeted her, and the desperate spring she made toward the spot where she was standing.
maniacnounUS /ˈmeɪniæk/
an insane person
From this reading It was Magdalen’s first close contact with a maniac, and she drew back a step or two, appalled by the wild outcry with which the woman greeted her, and the desperate spring she made toward the spot where she was standing.
massesnounUS /ˈmæsəz/
the common people generally
From this reading A mystery no longer, but a living, breathing, panting woman, with wild, rolling eyes, masses of jet-black hair streaked with gray streaming down her back, and long white arms and hands, which beat the air helplessly as she tried to escape from the firm grasp of her attendant, Mrs. Jenks.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading A mystery no longer, but a living, breathing, panting woman, with wild, rolling eyes, masses of jet-black hair streaked with gray streaming down her back, and long white arms and hands, which beat the air helplessly as she tried to escape from the firm grasp of her attendant, Mrs. Jenks.
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading A mystery no longer, but a living, breathing, panting woman, with wild, rolling eyes, masses of jet-black hair streaked with gray streaming down her back, and long white arms and hands, which beat the air helplessly as she tried to escape from the firm grasp of her attendant, Mrs. Jenks.
(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance
From this reading “Come nearer and see what effect your speaking to her will have.
not any; not one
From this reading A mystery no longer, but a living, breathing, panting woman, with wild, rolling eyes, masses of jet-black hair streaked with gray streaming down her back, and long white arms and hands, which beat the air helplessly as she tried to escape from the firm grasp of her attendant, Mrs. Jenks.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A mystery no longer, but a living, breathing, panting woman, with wild, rolling eyes, masses of jet-black hair streaked with gray streaming down her back, and long white arms and hands, which beat the air helplessly as she tried to escape from the firm grasp of her attendant, Mrs. Jenks.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It was Magdalen’s first close contact with a maniac, and she drew back a step or two, appalled by the wild outcry with which the woman greeted her, and the desperate spring she made toward the spot where she was standing.
outcrynounUS /ˈaʊtkraɪ/
a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition
From this reading It was Magdalen’s first close contact with a maniac, and she drew back a step or two, appalled by the wild outcry with which the woman greeted her, and the desperate spring she made toward the spot where she was standing.
pantingnounUS /ˈpæntɪŋ/
breathing heavily (as after exertion)
From this reading A mystery no longer, but a living, breathing, panting woman, with wild, rolling eyes, masses of jet-black hair streaked with gray streaming down her back, and long white arms and hands, which beat the air helplessly as she tried to escape from the firm grasp of her attendant, Mrs. Jenks.
a person who requires medical care
From this reading For an instant she was tempted to flee from the room, but Mrs. Jenks had her patient under control by virtue of superior strength.
uttered with a trill
From this reading A mystery no longer, but a living, breathing, panting woman, with wild, rolling eyes, masses of jet-black hair streaked with gray streaming down her back, and long white arms and hands, which beat the air helplessly as she tried to escape from the firm grasp of her attendant, Mrs. Jenks.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading For an instant she was tempted to flee from the room, but Mrs. Jenks had her patient under control by virtue of superior strength.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading “Come nearer and see what effect your speaking to her will have.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A mystery no longer, but a living, breathing, panting woman, with wild, rolling eyes, masses of jet-black hair streaked with gray streaming down her back, and long white arms and hands, which beat the air helplessly as she tried to escape from the firm grasp of her attendant, Mrs. Jenks.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading There was no escaping from the vice-like grasp of her strong arms, and so Magdalen stood still and gazed spellbound upon the terrible spectacle.
the utterance of intelligible speech
From this reading “Come nearer and see what effect your speaking to her will have.
spectaclenounUS /ˈspektəkəl/
something or someone seen (especially a notable or unusual sight)
From this reading There was no escaping from the vice-like grasp of her strong arms, and so Magdalen stood still and gazed spellbound upon the terrible spectacle.
spellboundadjectiveUS /ˈspelbaʊnd/
having your attention fixated as though by a spell
From this reading There was no escaping from the vice-like grasp of her strong arms, and so Magdalen stood still and gazed spellbound upon the terrible spectacle.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading It was Magdalen’s first close contact with a maniac, and she drew back a step or two, appalled by the wild outcry with which the woman greeted her, and the desperate spring she made toward the spot where she was standing.
the season of growth
From this reading It was Magdalen’s first close contact with a maniac, and she drew back a step or two, appalled by the wild outcry with which the woman greeted her, and the desperate spring she made toward the spot where she was standing.
having a supporting base
From this reading It was Magdalen’s first close contact with a maniac, and she drew back a step or two, appalled by the wild outcry with which the woman greeted her, and the desperate spring she made toward the spot where she was standing.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading It was Magdalen’s first close contact with a maniac, and she drew back a step or two, appalled by the wild outcry with which the woman greeted her, and the desperate spring she made toward the spot where she was standing.
not in physical motion
From this reading There was no escaping from the vice-like grasp of her strong arms, and so Magdalen stood still and gazed spellbound upon the terrible spectacle.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading There was no escaping from the vice-like grasp of her strong arms, and so Magdalen stood still and gazed spellbound upon the terrible spectacle.
streakedadjectiveUS /striːkt/
marked with or as if with stripes or linear discolorations
From this reading A mystery no longer, but a living, breathing, panting woman, with wild, rolling eyes, masses of jet-black hair streaked with gray streaming down her back, and long white arms and hands, which beat the air helplessly as she tried to escape from the firm grasp of her attendant, Mrs. Jenks.
streamingadjectiveUS /ˈstriːmɪŋ/
exuding a bodily fluid in profuse amounts
From this reading A mystery no longer, but a living, breathing, panting woman, with wild, rolling eyes, masses of jet-black hair streaked with gray streaming down her back, and long white arms and hands, which beat the air helplessly as she tried to escape from the firm grasp of her attendant, Mrs. Jenks.
the property of being physically or mentally strong
From this reading For an instant she was tempted to flee from the room, but Mrs. Jenks had her patient under control by virtue of superior strength.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading There was no escaping from the vice-like grasp of her strong arms, and so Magdalen stood still and gazed spellbound upon the terrible spectacle.
of high or superior quality or performance
From this reading For an instant she was tempted to flee from the room, but Mrs. Jenks had her patient under control by virtue of superior strength.
temptedverbUS /ˈtemptɪd/
past form of “tempt” — dispose or incline or entice to
From this reading For an instant she was tempted to flee from the room, but Mrs. Jenks had her patient under control by virtue of superior strength.
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading There was no escaping from the vice-like grasp of her strong arms, and so Magdalen stood still and gazed spellbound upon the terrible spectacle.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A mystery no longer, but a living, breathing, panting woman, with wild, rolling eyes, masses of jet-black hair streaked with gray streaming down her back, and long white arms and hands, which beat the air helplessly as she tried to escape from the firm grasp of her attendant, Mrs. Jenks.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was no escaping from the vice-like grasp of her strong arms, and so Magdalen stood still and gazed spellbound upon the terrible spectacle.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A mystery no longer, but a living, breathing, panting woman, with wild, rolling eyes, masses of jet-black hair streaked with gray streaming down her back, and long white arms and hands, which beat the air helplessly as she tried to escape from the firm grasp of her attendant, Mrs. Jenks.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading It was Magdalen’s first close contact with a maniac, and she drew back a step or two, appalled by the wild outcry with which the woman greeted her, and the desperate spring she made toward the spot where she was standing.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading A mystery no longer, but a living, breathing, panting woman, with wild, rolling eyes, masses of jet-black hair streaked with gray streaming down her back, and long white arms and hands, which beat the air helplessly as she tried to escape from the firm grasp of her attendant, Mrs. Jenks.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading It was Magdalen’s first close contact with a maniac, and she drew back a step or two, appalled by the wild outcry with which the woman greeted her, and the desperate spring she made toward the spot where she was standing.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading For an instant she was tempted to flee from the room, but Mrs. Jenks had her patient under control by virtue of superior strength.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading There was no escaping from the vice-like grasp of her strong arms, and so Magdalen stood still and gazed spellbound upon the terrible spectacle.
vice-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was no escaping from the vice-like grasp of her strong arms, and so Magdalen stood still and gazed spellbound upon the terrible spectacle.
Moral excellence and goodness of character; the highest human attainment in Stoic philosophy.
From this reading For an instant she was tempted to flee from the room, but Mrs. Jenks had her patient under control by virtue of superior strength.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was Magdalen’s first close contact with a maniac, and she drew back a step or two, appalled by the wild outcry with which the woman greeted her, and the desperate spring she made toward the spot where she was standing.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading “Come nearer and see what effect your speaking to her will have.
in or at the place that
From this reading It was Magdalen’s first close contact with a maniac, and she drew back a step or two, appalled by the wild outcry with which the woman greeted her, and the desperate spring she made toward the spot where she was standing.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading A mystery no longer, but a living, breathing, panting woman, with wild, rolling eyes, masses of jet-black hair streaked with gray streaming down her back, and long white arms and hands, which beat the air helplessly as she tried to escape from the firm grasp of her attendant, Mrs. Jenks.
a Caucasian
From this reading A mystery no longer, but a living, breathing, panting woman, with wild, rolling eyes, masses of jet-black hair streaked with gray streaming down her back, and long white arms and hands, which beat the air helplessly as she tried to escape from the firm grasp of her attendant, Mrs. Jenks.
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading A mystery no longer, but a living, breathing, panting woman, with wild, rolling eyes, masses of jet-black hair streaked with gray streaming down her back, and long white arms and hands, which beat the air helplessly as she tried to escape from the firm grasp of her attendant, Mrs. Jenks.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading “Come nearer and see what effect your speaking to her will have.
in the company of; together with
From this reading A mystery no longer, but a living, breathing, panting woman, with wild, rolling eyes, masses of jet-black hair streaked with gray streaming down her back, and long white arms and hands, which beat the air helplessly as she tried to escape from the firm grasp of her attendant, Mrs. Jenks.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading A mystery no longer, but a living, breathing, panting woman, with wild, rolling eyes, masses of jet-black hair streaked with gray streaming down her back, and long white arms and hands, which beat the air helplessly as she tried to escape from the firm grasp of her attendant, Mrs. Jenks.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Come nearer and see what effect your speaking to her will have.
