used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Mona sat alone in her study, deep in a copy of _Balfour On the Heart_, which she had picked up second-hand, on her way from hospital, and had carried home in triumph.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading Mona sat alone in her study, deep in a copy of _Balfour On the Heart_, which she had picked up second-hand, on her way from hospital, and had carried home in triumph.
a cherished desire
From this reading It was the height of her ambition at this time to be "strong on the heart and lungs"; and as she read she mechanically percussed the arm of her big chair, with a lightness of touch which many doctors might have envied.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The last sodden leaves had fallen from the London trees, and autumn was fast merging into winter.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading ANOTHER CHAT BY THE FIRE.
a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb
From this reading It was the height of her ambition at this time to be "strong on the heart and lungs"; and as she read she mechanically percussed the arm of her big chair, with a lightness of touch which many doctors might have envied.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was the height of her ambition at this time to be "strong on the heart and lungs"; and as she read she mechanically percussed the arm of her big chair, with a lightness of touch which many doctors might have envied.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It was the height of her ambition at this time to be "strong on the heart and lungs"; and as she read she mechanically percussed the arm of her big chair, with a lightness of touch which many doctors might have envied.
the season when the leaves fall from the trees
From this reading The last sodden leaves had fallen from the London trees, and autumn was fast merging into winter.
BalfournounUS /ˈbælfɔːr/
English statesman; member of the Conservative Party (1848-1930)
From this reading Mona sat alone in her study, deep in a copy of _Balfour On the Heart_, which she had picked up second-hand, on her way from hospital, and had carried home in triumph.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It was the height of her ambition at this time to be "strong on the heart and lungs"; and as she read she mechanically percussed the arm of her big chair, with a lightness of touch which many doctors might have envied.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading It was the height of her ambition at this time to be "strong on the heart and lungs"; and as she read she mechanically percussed the arm of her big chair, with a lightness of touch which many doctors might have envied.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading ANOTHER CHAT BY THE FIRE.
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading Mona sat alone in her study, deep in a copy of _Balfour On the Heart_, which she had picked up second-hand, on her way from hospital, and had carried home in triumph.
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading It was the height of her ambition at this time to be "strong on the heart and lungs"; and as she read she mechanically percussed the arm of her big chair, with a lightness of touch which many doctors might have envied.
CHATverbUS /tʃæt/
talk socially without exchanging too much information
From this reading ANOTHER CHAT BY THE FIRE.
a reproduction of a written record (e.g. of a legal or school record)
From this reading Mona sat alone in her study, deep in a copy of _Balfour On the Heart_, which she had picked up second-hand, on her way from hospital, and had carried home in triumph.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading Mona sat alone in her study, deep in a copy of _Balfour On the Heart_, which she had picked up second-hand, on her way from hospital, and had carried home in triumph.
doctorsnounUS /ˈdɑːktərz/
plural of “doctor” — a licensed medical practitioner
From this reading It was the height of her ambition at this time to be "strong on the heart and lungs"; and as she read she mechanically percussed the arm of her big chair, with a lightness of touch which many doctors might have envied.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading There was a knock at the door, and Miss Lascelles entered the room.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading There was a knock at the door, and Miss Lascelles entered the room.
enviedverbUS /ˈenvid/
inflected form of “envy” — feel envious towards; admire enviously
From this reading It was the height of her ambition at this time to be "strong on the heart and lungs"; and as she read she mechanically percussed the arm of her big chair, with a lightness of touch which many doctors might have envied.
having dropped by the force of gravity
From this reading The last sodden leaves had fallen from the London trees, and autumn was fast merging into winter.
quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)
From this reading The last sodden leaves had fallen from the London trees, and autumn was fast merging into winter.
start firing a weapon
From this reading ANOTHER CHAT BY THE FIRE.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The last sodden leaves had fallen from the London trees, and autumn was fast merging into winter.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The last sodden leaves had fallen from the London trees, and autumn was fast merging into winter.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It was the height of her ambition at this time to be "strong on the heart and lungs"; and as she read she mechanically percussed the arm of her big chair, with a lightness of touch which many doctors might have envied.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading Mona sat alone in her study, deep in a copy of _Balfour On the Heart_, which she had picked up second-hand, on her way from hospital, and had carried home in triumph.
the vertical dimension of extension; distance from the base of something to the top
From this reading It was the height of her ambition at this time to be "strong on the heart and lungs"; and as she read she mechanically percussed the arm of her big chair, with a lightness of touch which many doctors might have envied.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Mona sat alone in her study, deep in a copy of _Balfour On the Heart_, which she had picked up second-hand, on her way from hospital, and had carried home in triumph.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading Mona sat alone in her study, deep in a copy of _Balfour On the Heart_, which she had picked up second-hand, on her way from hospital, and had carried home in triumph.
a health facility where patients receive treatment
From this reading Mona sat alone in her study, deep in a copy of _Balfour On the Heart_, which she had picked up second-hand, on her way from hospital, and had carried home in triumph.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Mona sat alone in her study, deep in a copy of _Balfour On the Heart_, which she had picked up second-hand, on her way from hospital, and had carried home in triumph.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The last sodden leaves had fallen from the London trees, and autumn was fast merging into winter.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was the height of her ambition at this time to be "strong on the heart and lungs"; and as she read she mechanically percussed the arm of her big chair, with a lightness of touch which many doctors might have envied.
deliver a sharp blow or push
From this reading There was a knock at the door, and Miss Lascelles entered the room.
Lascelles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a knock at the door, and Miss Lascelles entered the room.
immediately past
From this reading The last sodden leaves had fallen from the London trees, and autumn was fast merging into winter.
plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading The last sodden leaves had fallen from the London trees, and autumn was fast merging into winter.
lightnessnounUS /ˈlaɪtnəs/
a feeling of joy and pride
From this reading It was the height of her ambition at this time to be "strong on the heart and lungs"; and as she read she mechanically percussed the arm of her big chair, with a lightness of touch which many doctors might have envied.
the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center
From this reading The last sodden leaves had fallen from the London trees, and autumn was fast merging into winter.
lungsnounUS /lʌŋz/
plural of “lung” — either of two saclike respiratory organs in the chest of vertebrates; serves to remove carbon dioxide and provide oxygen to the blood
From this reading It was the height of her ambition at this time to be "strong on the heart and lungs"; and as she read she mechanically percussed the arm of her big chair, with a lightness of touch which many doctors might have envied.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading It was the height of her ambition at this time to be "strong on the heart and lungs"; and as she read she mechanically percussed the arm of her big chair, with a lightness of touch which many doctors might have envied.
mechanicallyadverbUS /məˈkænɪkli/
in a mechanical manner; by a mechanism
From this reading It was the height of her ambition at this time to be "strong on the heart and lungs"; and as she read she mechanically percussed the arm of her big chair, with a lightness of touch which many doctors might have envied.
mergingnounUS /ˈmɜːrdʒɪŋ/
the act of joining together as one
From this reading The last sodden leaves had fallen from the London trees, and autumn was fast merging into winter.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading It was the height of her ambition at this time to be "strong on the heart and lungs"; and as she read she mechanically percussed the arm of her big chair, with a lightness of touch which many doctors might have envied.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading There was a knock at the door, and Miss Lascelles entered the room.
MonanounUS /ˈmoʊnə/
an island to the northwest of Wales
From this reading Mona sat alone in her study, deep in a copy of _Balfour On the Heart_, which she had picked up second-hand, on her way from hospital, and had carried home in triumph.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Mona sat alone in her study, deep in a copy of _Balfour On the Heart_, which she had picked up second-hand, on her way from hospital, and had carried home in triumph.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Mona sat alone in her study, deep in a copy of _Balfour On the Heart_, which she had picked up second-hand, on her way from hospital, and had carried home in triumph.
percussed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the height of her ambition at this time to be "strong on the heart and lungs"; and as she read she mechanically percussed the arm of her big chair, with a lightness of touch which many doctors might have envied.
past form of “pick” — select carefully from a group
From this reading Mona sat alone in her study, deep in a copy of _Balfour On the Heart_, which she had picked up second-hand, on her way from hospital, and had carried home in triumph.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading It was the height of her ambition at this time to be "strong on the heart and lungs"; and as she read she mechanically percussed the arm of her big chair, with a lightness of touch which many doctors might have envied.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading There was a knock at the door, and Miss Lascelles entered the room.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Mona sat alone in her study, deep in a copy of _Balfour On the Heart_, which she had picked up second-hand, on her way from hospital, and had carried home in triumph.
second-hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mona sat alone in her study, deep in a copy of _Balfour On the Heart_, which she had picked up second-hand, on her way from hospital, and had carried home in triumph.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Mona sat alone in her study, deep in a copy of _Balfour On the Heart_, which she had picked up second-hand, on her way from hospital, and had carried home in triumph.
soddenadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːdən/
wet through and through; thoroughly wet
From this reading The last sodden leaves had fallen from the London trees, and autumn was fast merging into winter.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading It was the height of her ambition at this time to be "strong on the heart and lungs"; and as she read she mechanically percussed the arm of her big chair, with a lightness of touch which many doctors might have envied.
a detailed critical inspection
From this reading Mona sat alone in her study, deep in a copy of _Balfour On the Heart_, which she had picked up second-hand, on her way from hospital, and had carried home in triumph.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ANOTHER CHAT BY THE FIRE.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was a knock at the door, and Miss Lascelles entered the room.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading It was the height of her ambition at this time to be "strong on the heart and lungs"; and as she read she mechanically percussed the arm of her big chair, with a lightness of touch which many doctors might have envied.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading It was the height of her ambition at this time to be "strong on the heart and lungs"; and as she read she mechanically percussed the arm of her big chair, with a lightness of touch which many doctors might have envied.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was the height of her ambition at this time to be "strong on the heart and lungs"; and as she read she mechanically percussed the arm of her big chair, with a lightness of touch which many doctors might have envied.
make physical contact with, come in contact with
From this reading It was the height of her ambition at this time to be "strong on the heart and lungs"; and as she read she mechanically percussed the arm of her big chair, with a lightness of touch which many doctors might have envied.
plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading The last sodden leaves had fallen from the London trees, and autumn was fast merging into winter.
a successful ending of a struggle or contest
From this reading Mona sat alone in her study, deep in a copy of _Balfour On the Heart_, which she had picked up second-hand, on her way from hospital, and had carried home in triumph.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Mona sat alone in her study, deep in a copy of _Balfour On the Heart_, which she had picked up second-hand, on her way from hospital, and had carried home in triumph.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The last sodden leaves had fallen from the London trees, and autumn was fast merging into winter.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Mona sat alone in her study, deep in a copy of _Balfour On the Heart_, which she had picked up second-hand, on her way from hospital, and had carried home in triumph.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Mona sat alone in her study, deep in a copy of _Balfour On the Heart_, which she had picked up second-hand, on her way from hospital, and had carried home in triumph.
the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading The last sodden leaves had fallen from the London trees, and autumn was fast merging into winter.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was the height of her ambition at this time to be "strong on the heart and lungs"; and as she read she mechanically percussed the arm of her big chair, with a lightness of touch which many doctors might have envied.
