used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The evening before she left home her father called her to him, and fixing upon her a calm, earnest, and almost mournful look, he said, "Abby, do you ever think?"--Abby was subdued, and almost awed, by her father's look and manner.
Abby
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The evening before she left home her father called her to him, and fixing upon her a calm, earnest, and almost mournful look, he said, "Abby, do you ever think?"--Abby was subdued, and almost awed, by her father's look and manner.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading "Yes, father," she at length replied, "I have thought a great deal lately about going to Lowell."
(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 If I was too poor to maintain you here, and had no employment about which you could make yourself useful, I should feel no self-reproach, and would let you go, trusting that all might yet be well; but now I have done what I may at some future time severely repent of; and, Abby, if you do not wish to make me wretched, you will return to us a better, milder, and more thoughtful girl."
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading The evening before she left home her father called her to him, and fixing upon her a calm, earnest, and almost mournful look, he said, "Abby, do you ever think?"--Abby was subdued, and almost awed, by her father's look and manner.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The evening before she left home her father called her to him, and fixing upon her a calm, earnest, and almost mournful look, he said, "Abby, do you ever think?"--Abby was subdued, and almost awed, by her father's look and manner.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading There was something unusual in it--something in his expression which was unexpected in him, which reminded her of her teacher's look at the Sabbath school, when he was endeavoring to impress upon her mind some serious truth.
awedadjectiveUS /ɔːd/
inspired by a feeling of fearful wonderment or reverence
From this reading The evening before she left home her father called her to him, and fixing upon her a calm, earnest, and almost mournful look, he said, "Abby, do you ever think?"--Abby was subdued, and almost awed, by her father's look and manner.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading If I was too poor to maintain you here, and had no employment about which you could make yourself useful, I should feel no self-reproach, and would let you go, trusting that all might yet be well; but now I have done what I may at some future time severely repent of; and, Abby, if you do not wish to make me wretched, you will return to us a better, milder, and more thoughtful girl."
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The evening before she left home her father called her to him, and fixing upon her a calm, earnest, and almost mournful look, he said, "Abby, do you ever think?"--Abby was subdued, and almost awed, by her father's look and manner.
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading "But I do not believe, my child, that you have had one serious reflection upon the subject, and I fear that I have done wrong in consenting to let you go from home.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading If I was too poor to maintain you here, and had no employment about which you could make yourself useful, I should feel no self-reproach, and would let you go, trusting that all might yet be well; but now I have done what I may at some future time severely repent of; and, Abby, if you do not wish to make me wretched, you will return to us a better, milder, and more thoughtful girl."
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "But I do not believe, my child, that you have had one serious reflection upon the subject, and I fear that I have done wrong in consenting to let you go from home.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The evening before she left home her father called her to him, and fixing upon her a calm, earnest, and almost mournful look, he said, "Abby, do you ever think?"--Abby was subdued, and almost awed, by her father's look and manner.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading The evening before she left home her father called her to him, and fixing upon her a calm, earnest, and almost mournful look, he said, "Abby, do you ever think?"--Abby was subdued, and almost awed, by her father's look and manner.
make calm or still
From this reading The evening before she left home her father called her to him, and fixing upon her a calm, earnest, and almost mournful look, he said, "Abby, do you ever think?"--Abby was subdued, and almost awed, by her father's look and manner.
a young person of either sex
From this reading "But I do not believe, my child, that you have had one serious reflection upon the subject, and I fear that I have done wrong in consenting to let you go from home.
consentingadjectiveUS /kənˈsentɪŋ/
having given consent
From this reading "But I do not believe, my child, that you have had one serious reflection upon the subject, and I fear that I have done wrong in consenting to let you go from home.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading If I was too poor to maintain you here, and had no employment about which you could make yourself useful, I should feel no self-reproach, and would let you go, trusting that all might yet be well; but now I have done what I may at some future time severely repent of; and, Abby, if you do not wish to make me wretched, you will return to us a better, milder, and more thoughtful girl."
act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
From this reading "Yes, father," she at length replied, "I have thought a great deal lately about going to Lowell."
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading The evening before she left home her father called her to him, and fixing upon her a calm, earnest, and almost mournful look, he said, "Abby, do you ever think?"--Abby was subdued, and almost awed, by her father's look and manner.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading "But I do not believe, my child, that you have had one serious reflection upon the subject, and I fear that I have done wrong in consenting to let you go from home.
characterized by a firm and humorless belief in the validity of your opinions
From this reading The evening before she left home her father called her to him, and fixing upon her a calm, earnest, and almost mournful look, he said, "Abby, do you ever think?"--Abby was subdued, and almost awed, by her father's look and manner.
employmentnounUS /emˈplɔɪmənt/
the state of being employed or having a job
From this reading If I was too poor to maintain you here, and had no employment about which you could make yourself useful, I should feel no self-reproach, and would let you go, trusting that all might yet be well; but now I have done what I may at some future time severely repent of; and, Abby, if you do not wish to make me wretched, you will return to us a better, milder, and more thoughtful girl."
endeavoringverbUS /ɪnˈdevərɪŋ/
-ing form of “endeavor” — attempt by employing effort
From this reading There was something unusual in it--something in his expression which was unexpected in him, which reminded her of her teacher's look at the Sabbath school, when he was endeavoring to impress upon her mind some serious truth.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading The evening before she left home her father called her to him, and fixing upon her a calm, earnest, and almost mournful look, he said, "Abby, do you ever think?"--Abby was subdued, and almost awed, by her father's look and manner.
at any time
From this reading The evening before she left home her father called her to him, and fixing upon her a calm, earnest, and almost mournful look, he said, "Abby, do you ever think?"--Abby was subdued, and almost awed, by her father's look and manner.
the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading There was something unusual in it--something in his expression which was unexpected in him, which reminded her of her teacher's look at the Sabbath school, when he was endeavoring to impress upon her mind some serious truth.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading The evening before she left home her father called her to him, and fixing upon her a calm, earnest, and almost mournful look, he said, "Abby, do you ever think?"--Abby was subdued, and almost awed, by her father's look and manner.
father'snounUS /ˈfɑːðərz/
possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading The evening before she left home her father called her to him, and fixing upon her a calm, earnest, and almost mournful look, he said, "Abby, do you ever think?"--Abby was subdued, and almost awed, by her father's look and manner.
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading "But I do not believe, my child, that you have had one serious reflection upon the subject, and I fear that I have done wrong in consenting to let you go from home.
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading If I was too poor to maintain you here, and had no employment about which you could make yourself useful, I should feel no self-reproach, and would let you go, trusting that all might yet be well; but now I have done what I may at some future time severely repent of; and, Abby, if you do not wish to make me wretched, you will return to us a better, milder, and more thoughtful girl."
fixingnounUS /ˈfɪksɪŋ/
the act of putting something in working order again
From this reading The evening before she left home her father called her to him, and fixing upon her a calm, earnest, and almost mournful look, he said, "Abby, do you ever think?"--Abby was subdued, and almost awed, by her father's look and manner.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading "But I do not believe, my child, that you have had one serious reflection upon the subject, and I fear that I have done wrong in consenting to let you go from home.
yet to be or coming
From this reading If I was too poor to maintain you here, and had no employment about which you could make yourself useful, I should feel no self-reproach, and would let you go, trusting that all might yet be well; but now I have done what I may at some future time severely repent of; and, Abby, if you do not wish to make me wretched, you will return to us a better, milder, and more thoughtful girl."
a young female
From this reading If I was too poor to maintain you here, and had no employment about which you could make yourself useful, I should feel no self-reproach, and would let you go, trusting that all might yet be well; but now I have done what I may at some future time severely repent of; and, Abby, if you do not wish to make me wretched, you will return to us a better, milder, and more thoughtful girl."
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading "But I do not believe, my child, that you have had one serious reflection upon the subject, and I fear that I have done wrong in consenting to let you go from home.
the act of departing
From this reading "Yes, father," she at length replied, "I have thought a great deal lately about going to Lowell."
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading "Yes, father," she at length replied, "I have thought a great deal lately about going to Lowell."
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading "But I do not believe, my child, that you have had one serious reflection upon the subject, and I fear that I have done wrong in consenting to let you go from home.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "Yes, father," she at length replied, "I have thought a great deal lately about going to Lowell."
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The evening before she left home her father called her to him, and fixing upon her a calm, earnest, and almost mournful look, he said, "Abby, do you ever think?"--Abby was subdued, and almost awed, by her father's look and manner.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The evening before she left home her father called her to him, and fixing upon her a calm, earnest, and almost mournful look, he said, "Abby, do you ever think?"--Abby was subdued, and almost awed, by her father's look and manner.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading If I was too poor to maintain you here, and had no employment about which you could make yourself useful, I should feel no self-reproach, and would let you go, trusting that all might yet be well; but now I have done what I may at some future time severely repent of; and, Abby, if you do not wish to make me wretched, you will return to us a better, milder, and more thoughtful girl."
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The evening before she left home her father called her to him, and fixing upon her a calm, earnest, and almost mournful look, he said, "Abby, do you ever think?"--Abby was subdued, and almost awed, by her father's look and manner.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading There was something unusual in it--something in his expression which was unexpected in him, which reminded her of her teacher's look at the Sabbath school, when he was endeavoring to impress upon her mind some serious truth.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading The evening before she left home her father called her to him, and fixing upon her a calm, earnest, and almost mournful look, he said, "Abby, do you ever think?"--Abby was subdued, and almost awed, by her father's look and manner.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Yes, father," she at length replied, "I have thought a great deal lately about going to Lowell."
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If I was too poor to maintain you here, and had no employment about which you could make yourself useful, I should feel no self-reproach, and would let you go, trusting that all might yet be well; but now I have done what I may at some future time severely repent of; and, Abby, if you do not wish to make me wretched, you will return to us a better, milder, and more thoughtful girl."
impressverbUS /ˌɪmˈpres/
have an emotional or cognitive impact upon
From this reading There was something unusual in it--something in his expression which was unexpected in him, which reminded her of her teacher's look at the Sabbath school, when he was endeavoring to impress upon her mind some serious truth.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There was something unusual in it--something in his expression which was unexpected in him, which reminded her of her teacher's look at the Sabbath school, when he was endeavoring to impress upon her mind some serious truth.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading There was something unusual in it--something in his expression which was unexpected in him, which reminded her of her teacher's look at the Sabbath school, when he was endeavoring to impress upon her mind some serious truth.
in the recent past
From this reading "Yes, father," she at length replied, "I have thought a great deal lately about going to Lowell."
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 The evening before she left home her father called her to him, and fixing upon her a calm, earnest, and almost mournful look, he said, "Abby, do you ever think?"--Abby was subdued, and almost awed, by her father's look and manner.
the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place
From this reading "Yes, father," she at length replied, "I have thought a great deal lately about going to Lowell."
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading "But I do not believe, my child, that you have had one serious reflection upon the subject, and I fear that I have done wrong in consenting to let you go from home.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading The evening before she left home her father called her to him, and fixing upon her a calm, earnest, and almost mournful look, he said, "Abby, do you ever think?"--Abby was subdued, and almost awed, by her father's look and manner.
LowellnounUS /ˈloʊəl/
United States poet (1917-1977)
From this reading "Yes, father," she at length replied, "I have thought a great deal lately about going to Lowell."
maintainverbUS /meɪnˈteɪn/
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading If I was too poor to maintain you here, and had no employment about which you could make yourself useful, I should feel no self-reproach, and would let you go, trusting that all might yet be well; but now I have done what I may at some future time severely repent of; and, Abby, if you do not wish to make me wretched, you will return to us a better, milder, and more thoughtful girl."
engage in
From this reading If I was too poor to maintain you here, and had no employment about which you could make yourself useful, I should feel no self-reproach, and would let you go, trusting that all might yet be well; but now I have done what I may at some future time severely repent of; and, Abby, if you do not wish to make me wretched, you will return to us a better, milder, and more thoughtful girl."
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading The evening before she left home her father called her to him, and fixing upon her a calm, earnest, and almost mournful look, he said, "Abby, do you ever think?"--Abby was subdued, and almost awed, by her father's look and manner.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading If I was too poor to maintain you here, and had no employment about which you could make yourself useful, I should feel no self-reproach, and would let you go, trusting that all might yet be well; but now I have done what I may at some future time severely repent of; and, Abby, if you do not wish to make me wretched, you will return to us a better, milder, and more thoughtful girl."
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading If I was too poor to maintain you here, and had no employment about which you could make yourself useful, I should feel no self-reproach, and would let you go, trusting that all might yet be well; but now I have done what I may at some future time severely repent of; and, Abby, if you do not wish to make me wretched, you will return to us a better, milder, and more thoughtful girl."
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading If I was too poor to maintain you here, and had no employment about which you could make yourself useful, I should feel no self-reproach, and would let you go, trusting that all might yet be well; but now I have done what I may at some future time severely repent of; and, Abby, if you do not wish to make me wretched, you will return to us a better, milder, and more thoughtful girl."
milderadjectiveUS /ˈmaɪldər/
comparative of “mild” — moderate in type or degree or effect or force; far from extreme
From this reading If I was too poor to maintain you here, and had no employment about which you could make yourself useful, I should feel no self-reproach, and would let you go, trusting that all might yet be well; but now I have done what I may at some future time severely repent of; and, Abby, if you do not wish to make me wretched, you will return to us a better, milder, and more thoughtful girl."
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading There was something unusual in it--something in his expression which was unexpected in him, which reminded her of her teacher's look at the Sabbath school, when he was endeavoring to impress upon her mind some serious truth.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading If I was too poor to maintain you here, and had no employment about which you could make yourself useful, I should feel no self-reproach, and would let you go, trusting that all might yet be well; but now I have done what I may at some future time severely repent of; and, Abby, if you do not wish to make me wretched, you will return to us a better, milder, and more thoughtful girl."
mournfuladjectiveUS /ˈmɔːrnfəl/
expressing sorrow
From this reading The evening before she left home her father called her to him, and fixing upon her a calm, earnest, and almost mournful look, he said, "Abby, do you ever think?"--Abby was subdued, and almost awed, by her father's look and manner.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "But I do not believe, my child, that you have had one serious reflection upon the subject, and I fear that I have done wrong in consenting to let you go from home.
not any; not one
From this reading If I was too poor to maintain you here, and had no employment about which you could make yourself useful, I should feel no self-reproach, and would let you go, trusting that all might yet be well; but now I have done what I may at some future time severely repent of; and, Abby, if you do not wish to make me wretched, you will return to us a better, milder, and more thoughtful girl."
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "But I do not believe, my child, that you have had one serious reflection upon the subject, and I fear that I have done wrong in consenting to let you go from home.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading If I was too poor to maintain you here, and had no employment about which you could make yourself useful, I should feel no self-reproach, and would let you go, trusting that all might yet be well; but now I have done what I may at some future time severely repent of; and, Abby, if you do not wish to make me wretched, you will return to us a better, milder, and more thoughtful girl."
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There was something unusual in it--something in his expression which was unexpected in him, which reminded her of her teacher's look at the Sabbath school, when he was endeavoring to impress upon her mind some serious truth.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading "But I do not believe, my child, that you have had one serious reflection upon the subject, and I fear that I have done wrong in consenting to let you go from home.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading If I was too poor to maintain you here, and had no employment about which you could make yourself useful, I should feel no self-reproach, and would let you go, trusting that all might yet be well; but now I have done what I may at some future time severely repent of; and, Abby, if you do not wish to make me wretched, you will return to us a better, milder, and more thoughtful girl."
a calm, lengthy, intent consideration
From this reading "But I do not believe, my child, that you have had one serious reflection upon the subject, and I fear that I have done wrong in consenting to let you go from home.
past form of “remind” — put in the mind of someone
From this reading There was something unusual in it--something in his expression which was unexpected in him, which reminded her of her teacher's look at the Sabbath school, when he was endeavoring to impress upon her mind some serious truth.
repentverbUS /rɪˈpent/
turn away from sin or do penitence
From this reading If I was too poor to maintain you here, and had no employment about which you could make yourself useful, I should feel no self-reproach, and would let you go, trusting that all might yet be well; but now I have done what I may at some future time severely repent of; and, Abby, if you do not wish to make me wretched, you will return to us a better, milder, and more thoughtful girl."
inflected form of “reply” — react verbally
From this reading "Yes, father," she at length replied, "I have thought a great deal lately about going to Lowell."
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading If I was too poor to maintain you here, and had no employment about which you could make yourself useful, I should feel no self-reproach, and would let you go, trusting that all might yet be well; but now I have done what I may at some future time severely repent of; and, Abby, if you do not wish to make me wretched, you will return to us a better, milder, and more thoughtful girl."
SabbathnounUS /ˈsæbəθ/
a day of rest and worship: Sunday for most Christians; Saturday for the Jews and a few Christians; Friday for Muslims
From this reading There was something unusual in it--something in his expression which was unexpected in him, which reminded her of her teacher's look at the Sabbath school, when he was endeavoring to impress upon her mind some serious truth.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading The evening before she left home her father called her to him, and fixing upon her a calm, earnest, and almost mournful look, he said, "Abby, do you ever think?"--Abby was subdued, and almost awed, by her father's look and manner.
an educational institution
From this reading There was something unusual in it--something in his expression which was unexpected in him, which reminded her of her teacher's look at the Sabbath school, when he was endeavoring to impress upon her mind some serious truth.
self-reproachnoun
a feeling of deep regret (usually for some misdeed)
From this reading If I was too poor to maintain you here, and had no employment about which you could make yourself useful, I should feel no self-reproach, and would let you go, trusting that all might yet be well; but now I have done what I may at some future time severely repent of; and, Abby, if you do not wish to make me wretched, you will return to us a better, milder, and more thoughtful girl."
concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities
From this reading There was something unusual in it--something in his expression which was unexpected in him, which reminded her of her teacher's look at the Sabbath school, when he was endeavoring to impress upon her mind some serious truth.
severelyadverbUS /səˈvɪrli/
to a severe or serious degree
From this reading If I was too poor to maintain you here, and had no employment about which you could make yourself useful, I should feel no self-reproach, and would let you go, trusting that all might yet be well; but now I have done what I may at some future time severely repent of; and, Abby, if you do not wish to make me wretched, you will return to us a better, milder, and more thoughtful girl."
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The evening before she left home her father called her to him, and fixing upon her a calm, earnest, and almost mournful look, he said, "Abby, do you ever think?"--Abby was subdued, and almost awed, by her father's look and manner.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading If I was too poor to maintain you here, and had no employment about which you could make yourself useful, I should feel no self-reproach, and would let you go, trusting that all might yet be well; but now I have done what I may at some future time severely repent of; and, Abby, if you do not wish to make me wretched, you will return to us a better, milder, and more thoughtful girl."
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading There was something unusual in it--something in his expression which was unexpected in him, which reminded her of her teacher's look at the Sabbath school, when he was endeavoring to impress upon her mind some serious truth.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading There was something unusual in it--something in his expression which was unexpected in him, which reminded her of her teacher's look at the Sabbath school, when he was endeavoring to impress upon her mind some serious truth.
subduedadjectiveUS /səbˈduːd/
in a softened tone
From this reading The evening before she left home her father called her to him, and fixing upon her a calm, earnest, and almost mournful look, he said, "Abby, do you ever think?"--Abby was subdued, and almost awed, by her father's look and manner.
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading "But I do not believe, my child, that you have had one serious reflection upon the subject, and I fear that I have done wrong in consenting to let you go from home.
teacher'snounUS /ˈtiːtʃərz/
possessive form of “teacher” — a person whose occupation is teaching
From this reading There was something unusual in it--something in his expression which was unexpected in him, which reminded her of her teacher's look at the Sabbath school, when he was endeavoring to impress upon her mind some serious truth.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "But I do not believe, my child, that you have had one serious reflection upon the subject, and I fear that I have done wrong in consenting to let you go from home.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The evening before she left home her father called her to him, and fixing upon her a calm, earnest, and almost mournful look, he said, "Abby, do you ever think?"--Abby was subdued, and almost awed, by her father's look and manner.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was something unusual in it--something in his expression which was unexpected in him, which reminded her of her teacher's look at the Sabbath school, when he was endeavoring to impress upon her mind some serious truth.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading The evening before she left home her father called her to him, and fixing upon her a calm, earnest, and almost mournful look, he said, "Abby, do you ever think?"--Abby was subdued, and almost awed, by her father's look and manner.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading "Yes, father," she at length replied, "I have thought a great deal lately about going to Lowell."
thoughtfuladjectiveUS /ˈθɔːtfəl/
having intellectual depth
From this reading If I was too poor to maintain you here, and had no employment about which you could make yourself useful, I should feel no self-reproach, and would let you go, trusting that all might yet be well; but now I have done what I may at some future time severely repent of; and, Abby, if you do not wish to make me wretched, you will return to us a better, milder, and more thoughtful girl."
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading If I was too poor to maintain you here, and had no employment about which you could make yourself useful, I should feel no self-reproach, and would let you go, trusting that all might yet be well; but now I have done what I may at some future time severely repent of; and, Abby, if you do not wish to make me wretched, you will return to us a better, milder, and more thoughtful girl."
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The evening before she left home her father called her to him, and fixing upon her a calm, earnest, and almost mournful look, he said, "Abby, do you ever think?"--Abby was subdued, and almost awed, by her father's look and manner.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading If I was too poor to maintain you here, and had no employment about which you could make yourself useful, I should feel no self-reproach, and would let you go, trusting that all might yet be well; but now I have done what I may at some future time severely repent of; and, Abby, if you do not wish to make me wretched, you will return to us a better, milder, and more thoughtful girl."
trustingadjectiveUS /ˈtrʌstɪŋ/
inclined to believe or confide readily; full of trust
From this reading If I was too poor to maintain you here, and had no employment about which you could make yourself useful, I should feel no self-reproach, and would let you go, trusting that all might yet be well; but now I have done what I may at some future time severely repent of; and, Abby, if you do not wish to make me wretched, you will return to us a better, milder, and more thoughtful girl."
a fact that has been verified
From this reading There was something unusual in it--something in his expression which was unexpected in him, which reminded her of her teacher's look at the Sabbath school, when he was endeavoring to impress upon her mind some serious truth.
not expected or anticipated
From this reading There was something unusual in it--something in his expression which was unexpected in him, which reminded her of her teacher's look at the Sabbath school, when he was endeavoring to impress upon her mind some serious truth.
not usual or common or ordinary
From this reading There was something unusual in it--something in his expression which was unexpected in him, which reminded her of her teacher's look at the Sabbath school, when he was endeavoring to impress upon her mind some serious truth.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The evening before she left home her father called her to him, and fixing upon her a calm, earnest, and almost mournful look, he said, "Abby, do you ever think?"--Abby was subdued, and almost awed, by her father's look and manner.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading If I was too poor to maintain you here, and had no employment about which you could make yourself useful, I should feel no self-reproach, and would let you go, trusting that all might yet be well; but now I have done what I may at some future time severely repent of; and, Abby, if you do not wish to make me wretched, you will return to us a better, milder, and more thoughtful girl."
being of use or service
From this reading If I was too poor to maintain you here, and had no employment about which you could make yourself useful, I should feel no self-reproach, and would let you go, trusting that all might yet be well; but now I have done what I may at some future time severely repent of; and, Abby, if you do not wish to make me wretched, you will return to us a better, milder, and more thoughtful girl."
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The evening before she left home her father called her to him, and fixing upon her a calm, earnest, and almost mournful look, he said, "Abby, do you ever think?"--Abby was subdued, and almost awed, by her father's look and manner.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading If I was too poor to maintain you here, and had no employment about which you could make yourself useful, I should feel no self-reproach, and would let you go, trusting that all might yet be well; but now I have done what I may at some future time severely repent of; and, Abby, if you do not wish to make me wretched, you will return to us a better, milder, and more thoughtful girl."
used to ask for information about something
From this reading If I was too poor to maintain you here, and had no employment about which you could make yourself useful, I should feel no self-reproach, and would let you go, trusting that all might yet be well; but now I have done what I may at some future time severely repent of; and, Abby, if you do not wish to make me wretched, you will return to us a better, milder, and more thoughtful girl."
at the time that
From this reading There was something unusual in it--something in his expression which was unexpected in him, which reminded her of her teacher's look at the Sabbath school, when he was endeavoring to impress upon her mind some serious truth.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading There was something unusual in it--something in his expression which was unexpected in him, which reminded her of her teacher's look at the Sabbath school, when he was endeavoring to impress upon her mind some serious truth.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading If I was too poor to maintain you here, and had no employment about which you could make yourself useful, I should feel no self-reproach, and would let you go, trusting that all might yet be well; but now I have done what I may at some future time severely repent of; and, Abby, if you do not wish to make me wretched, you will return to us a better, milder, and more thoughtful girl."
hope for; have a wish
From this reading If I was too poor to maintain you here, and had no employment about which you could make yourself useful, I should feel no self-reproach, and would let you go, trusting that all might yet be well; but now I have done what I may at some future time severely repent of; and, Abby, if you do not wish to make me wretched, you will return to us a better, milder, and more thoughtful girl."
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading If I was too poor to maintain you here, and had no employment about which you could make yourself useful, I should feel no self-reproach, and would let you go, trusting that all might yet be well; but now I have done what I may at some future time severely repent of; and, Abby, if you do not wish to make me wretched, you will return to us a better, milder, and more thoughtful girl."
of very poor quality or condition
From this reading If I was too poor to maintain you here, and had no employment about which you could make yourself useful, I should feel no self-reproach, and would let you go, trusting that all might yet be well; but now I have done what I may at some future time severely repent of; and, Abby, if you do not wish to make me wretched, you will return to us a better, milder, and more thoughtful girl."
not correct; not in conformity with fact or truth
From this reading "But I do not believe, my child, that you have had one serious reflection upon the subject, and I fear that I have done wrong in consenting to let you go from home.
an affirmative
From this reading "Yes, father," she at length replied, "I have thought a great deal lately about going to Lowell."
but in spite of that
From this reading If I was too poor to maintain you here, and had no employment about which you could make yourself useful, I should feel no self-reproach, and would let you go, trusting that all might yet be well; but now I have done what I may at some future time severely repent of; and, Abby, if you do not wish to make me wretched, you will return to us a better, milder, and more thoughtful girl."
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading The evening before she left home her father called her to him, and fixing upon her a calm, earnest, and almost mournful look, he said, "Abby, do you ever think?"--Abby was subdued, and almost awed, by her father's look and manner.
used when the person spoken to is also the object of the action
From this reading If I was too poor to maintain you here, and had no employment about which you could make yourself useful, I should feel no self-reproach, and would let you go, trusting that all might yet be well; but now I have done what I may at some future time severely repent of; and, Abby, if you do not wish to make me wretched, you will return to us a better, milder, and more thoughtful girl."
