used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading MART'S VISIT TO HIS SISTER Bertha woke next morning with a sense of weariness and desolation still at her heart, but she dressed and went to breakfast with Haney at an hour so early that the dining-room was nearly empty.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading Haney, still troubled by her languid air and gloomy face, took heart, and talked of what Chicago was in the days when he saw it and what it was now.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading MART'S VISIT TO HIS SISTER Bertha woke next morning with a sense of weariness and desolation still at her heart, but she dressed and went to breakfast with Haney at an hour so early that the dining-room was nearly empty.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading MART'S VISIT TO HIS SISTER Bertha woke next morning with a sense of weariness and desolation still at her heart, but she dressed and went to breakfast with Haney at an hour so early that the dining-room was nearly empty.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Lucius, with quiet insistence upon the importance of his employers, had secured a place at a window overlooking the lake, and was glad to see his mistress brighten as her eyes swept the burnished shoreless expanse.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading MART'S VISIT TO HIS SISTER Bertha woke next morning with a sense of weariness and desolation still at her heart, but she dressed and went to breakfast with Haney at an hour so early that the dining-room was nearly empty.
Bertha
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MART'S VISIT TO HIS SISTER Bertha woke next morning with a sense of weariness and desolation still at her heart, but she dressed and went to breakfast with Haney at an hour so early that the dining-room was nearly empty.
bobtailnoun
a short or shortened tail of certain animals
From this reading But listen: when I was here the Palmer House was the newly built wonder of the West, the streets were tinkling with bobtail horse-cars.
eat an early morning meal
From this reading MART'S VISIT TO HIS SISTER Bertha woke next morning with a sense of weariness and desolation still at her heart, but she dressed and went to breakfast with Haney at an hour so early that the dining-room was nearly empty.
brightenverbUS /ˈbraɪtən/
make more cheerful through the use of color
From this reading Lucius, with quiet insistence upon the importance of his employers, had secured a place at a window overlooking the lake, and was glad to see his mistress brighten as her eyes swept the burnished shoreless expanse.
(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness
From this reading But listen: when I was here the Palmer House was the newly built wonder of the West, the streets were tinkling with bobtail horse-cars.
burnishedadjectiveUS /ˈbɜːrnɪʃt/
made smooth and bright by or as if by rubbing; reflecting a sheen or glow
From this reading Lucius, with quiet insistence upon the importance of his employers, had secured a place at a window overlooking the lake, and was glad to see his mistress brighten as her eyes swept the burnished shoreless expanse.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading MART'S VISIT TO HIS SISTER Bertha woke next morning with a sense of weariness and desolation still at her heart, but she dressed and went to breakfast with Haney at an hour so early that the dining-room was nearly empty.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Haney, still troubled by her languid air and gloomy face, took heart, and talked of what Chicago was in the days when he saw it and what it was now.
ChicagonounUS /ʃəˈkɑːɡoʊ/
largest city in Illinois; a bustling Great Lakes port that extends 26 miles along the southwestern shoreline of Lake Michigan
From this reading Haney, still troubled by her languid air and gloomy face, took heart, and talked of what Chicago was in the days when he saw it and what it was now.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading Haney, still troubled by her languid air and gloomy face, took heart, and talked of what Chicago was in the days when he saw it and what it was now.
desolationnounUS /ˌdesəˈleɪʃən/
the state of being decayed or destroyed
From this reading MART'S VISIT TO HIS SISTER Bertha woke next morning with a sense of weariness and desolation still at her heart, but she dressed and went to breakfast with Haney at an hour so early that the dining-room was nearly empty.
dining-roomnoun
a room used for dining
From this reading MART'S VISIT TO HIS SISTER Bertha woke next morning with a sense of weariness and desolation still at her heart, but she dressed and went to breakfast with Haney at an hour so early that the dining-room was nearly empty.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "People say it don't improve.
dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination
From this reading MART'S VISIT TO HIS SISTER Bertha woke next morning with a sense of weariness and desolation still at her heart, but she dressed and went to breakfast with Haney at an hour so early that the dining-room was nearly empty.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading MART'S VISIT TO HIS SISTER Bertha woke next morning with a sense of weariness and desolation still at her heart, but she dressed and went to breakfast with Haney at an hour so early that the dining-room was nearly empty.
employersnounUS /emˈplɔɪərz/
plural of “employer” — a person or firm that employs workers
From this reading Lucius, with quiet insistence upon the importance of his employers, had secured a place at a window overlooking the lake, and was glad to see his mistress brighten as her eyes swept the burnished shoreless expanse.
make void or empty of contents
From this reading MART'S VISIT TO HIS SISTER Bertha woke next morning with a sense of weariness and desolation still at her heart, but she dressed and went to breakfast with Haney at an hour so early that the dining-room was nearly empty.
expansenounUS /ɪkˈspæns/
a wide scope
From this reading Lucius, with quiet insistence upon the importance of his employers, had secured a place at a window overlooking the lake, and was glad to see his mistress brighten as her eyes swept the burnished shoreless expanse.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Lucius, with quiet insistence upon the importance of his employers, had secured a place at a window overlooking the lake, and was glad to see his mistress brighten as her eyes swept the burnished shoreless expanse.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Haney, still troubled by her languid air and gloomy face, took heart, and talked of what Chicago was in the days when he saw it and what it was now.
showing or causing joy and pleasure; especially made happy
From this reading Lucius, with quiet insistence upon the importance of his employers, had secured a place at a window overlooking the lake, and was glad to see his mistress brighten as her eyes swept the burnished shoreless expanse.
depressingly dark
From this reading Haney, still troubled by her languid air and gloomy face, took heart, and talked of what Chicago was in the days when he saw it and what it was now.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Lucius, with quiet insistence upon the importance of his employers, had secured a place at a window overlooking the lake, and was glad to see his mistress brighten as her eyes swept the burnished shoreless expanse.
Haney
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MART'S VISIT TO HIS SISTER Bertha woke next morning with a sense of weariness and desolation still at her heart, but she dressed and went to breakfast with Haney at an hour so early that the dining-room was nearly empty.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Haney, still troubled by her languid air and gloomy face, took heart, and talked of what Chicago was in the days when he saw it and what it was now.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading MART'S VISIT TO HIS SISTER Bertha woke next morning with a sense of weariness and desolation still at her heart, but she dressed and went to breakfast with Haney at an hour so early that the dining-room was nearly empty.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading MART'S VISIT TO HIS SISTER Bertha woke next morning with a sense of weariness and desolation still at her heart, but she dressed and went to breakfast with Haney at an hour so early that the dining-room was nearly empty.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading But listen: when I was here the Palmer House was the newly built wonder of the West, the streets were tinkling with bobtail horse-cars.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading MART'S VISIT TO HIS SISTER Bertha woke next morning with a sense of weariness and desolation still at her heart, but she dressed and went to breakfast with Haney at an hour so early that the dining-room was nearly empty.
horse-cars
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But listen: when I was here the Palmer House was the newly built wonder of the West, the streets were tinkling with bobtail horse-cars.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading MART'S VISIT TO HIS SISTER Bertha woke next morning with a sense of weariness and desolation still at her heart, but she dressed and went to breakfast with Haney at an hour so early that the dining-room was nearly empty.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading But listen: when I was here the Palmer House was the newly built wonder of the West, the streets were tinkling with bobtail horse-cars.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading But listen: when I was here the Palmer House was the newly built wonder of the West, the streets were tinkling with bobtail horse-cars.
the quality of being important and worthy of note
From this reading Lucius, with quiet insistence upon the importance of his employers, had secured a place at a window overlooking the lake, and was glad to see his mistress brighten as her eyes swept the burnished shoreless expanse.
improveverbUS /ˌɪmˈpruːv/
to make better
From this reading "People say it don't improve.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Haney, still troubled by her languid air and gloomy face, took heart, and talked of what Chicago was in the days when he saw it and what it was now.
insistencenounUS /ˌɪnˈsɪstəns/
continual and persistent demands
From this reading Lucius, with quiet insistence upon the importance of his employers, had secured a place at a window overlooking the lake, and was glad to see his mistress brighten as her eyes swept the burnished shoreless expanse.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Haney, still troubled by her languid air and gloomy face, took heart, and talked of what Chicago was in the days when he saw it and what it was now.
a body of (usually fresh) water surrounded by land
From this reading Lucius, with quiet insistence upon the importance of his employers, had secured a place at a window overlooking the lake, and was glad to see his mistress brighten as her eyes swept the burnished shoreless expanse.
languidadjectiveUS /ˈlæŋɡwəd/
lacking spirit or liveliness
From this reading Haney, still troubled by her languid air and gloomy face, took heart, and talked of what Chicago was in the days when he saw it and what it was now.
hear with intention
From this reading But listen: when I was here the Palmer House was the newly built wonder of the West, the streets were tinkling with bobtail horse-cars.
Lucius
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lucius, with quiet insistence upon the importance of his employers, had secured a place at a window overlooking the lake, and was glad to see his mistress brighten as her eyes swept the burnished shoreless expanse.
MART'SnounUS /mɑːrts/
possessive form of “mart” — an area in a town where a public mercantile establishment is set up
From this reading MART'S VISIT TO HIS SISTER Bertha woke next morning with a sense of weariness and desolation still at her heart, but she dressed and went to breakfast with Haney at an hour so early that the dining-room was nearly empty.
an adulterous woman; a woman who has an ongoing extramarital sexual relationship with a man
From this reading Lucius, with quiet insistence upon the importance of his employers, had secured a place at a window overlooking the lake, and was glad to see his mistress brighten as her eyes swept the burnished shoreless expanse.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading MART'S VISIT TO HIS SISTER Bertha woke next morning with a sense of weariness and desolation still at her heart, but she dressed and went to breakfast with Haney at an hour so early that the dining-room was nearly empty.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading MART'S VISIT TO HIS SISTER Bertha woke next morning with a sense of weariness and desolation still at her heart, but she dressed and went to breakfast with Haney at an hour so early that the dining-room was nearly empty.
newlyadverbUS /ˈnuːli/
very recently
From this reading But listen: when I was here the Palmer House was the newly built wonder of the West, the streets were tinkling with bobtail horse-cars.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading MART'S VISIT TO HIS SISTER Bertha woke next morning with a sense of weariness and desolation still at her heart, but she dressed and went to breakfast with Haney at an hour so early that the dining-room was nearly empty.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Haney, still troubled by her languid air and gloomy face, took heart, and talked of what Chicago was in the days when he saw it and what it was now.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading MART'S VISIT TO HIS SISTER Bertha woke next morning with a sense of weariness and desolation still at her heart, but she dressed and went to breakfast with Haney at an hour so early that the dining-room was nearly empty.
overlookingadjectiveUS /ˈoʊvərlʊkɪŋ/
used of a height or viewpoint
From this reading Lucius, with quiet insistence upon the importance of his employers, had secured a place at a window overlooking the lake, and was glad to see his mistress brighten as her eyes swept the burnished shoreless expanse.
PalmernounUS /ˈpɑːmər/
United States golfer (born in 1929)
From this reading But listen: when I was here the Palmer House was the newly built wonder of the West, the streets were tinkling with bobtail horse-cars.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading "People say it don't improve.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Lucius, with quiet insistence upon the importance of his employers, had secured a place at a window overlooking the lake, and was glad to see his mistress brighten as her eyes swept the burnished shoreless expanse.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading Lucius, with quiet insistence upon the importance of his employers, had secured a place at a window overlooking the lake, and was glad to see his mistress brighten as her eyes swept the burnished shoreless expanse.
cut with a saw
From this reading Haney, still troubled by her languid air and gloomy face, took heart, and talked of what Chicago was in the days when he saw it and what it was now.
express in words
From this reading "People say it don't improve.
past form of “secure” — get by special effort
From this reading Lucius, with quiet insistence upon the importance of his employers, had secured a place at a window overlooking the lake, and was glad to see his mistress brighten as her eyes swept the burnished shoreless expanse.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Lucius, with quiet insistence upon the importance of his employers, had secured a place at a window overlooking the lake, and was glad to see his mistress brighten as her eyes swept the burnished shoreless expanse.
a general conscious awareness
From this reading MART'S VISIT TO HIS SISTER Bertha woke next morning with a sense of weariness and desolation still at her heart, but she dressed and went to breakfast with Haney at an hour so early that the dining-room was nearly empty.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading MART'S VISIT TO HIS SISTER Bertha woke next morning with a sense of weariness and desolation still at her heart, but she dressed and went to breakfast with Haney at an hour so early that the dining-room was nearly empty.
shoreless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lucius, with quiet insistence upon the importance of his employers, had secured a place at a window overlooking the lake, and was glad to see his mistress brighten as her eyes swept the burnished shoreless expanse.
a female person who has the same parents as another person
From this reading MART'S VISIT TO HIS SISTER Bertha woke next morning with a sense of weariness and desolation still at her heart, but she dressed and went to breakfast with Haney at an hour so early that the dining-room was nearly empty.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading MART'S VISIT TO HIS SISTER Bertha woke next morning with a sense of weariness and desolation still at her heart, but she dressed and went to breakfast with Haney at an hour so early that the dining-room was nearly empty.
not in physical motion
From this reading MART'S VISIT TO HIS SISTER Bertha woke next morning with a sense of weariness and desolation still at her heart, but she dressed and went to breakfast with Haney at an hour so early that the dining-room was nearly empty.
plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading But listen: when I was here the Palmer House was the newly built wonder of the West, the streets were tinkling with bobtail horse-cars.
possessing sweep
From this reading Lucius, with quiet insistence upon the importance of his employers, had secured a place at a window overlooking the lake, and was glad to see his mistress brighten as her eyes swept the burnished shoreless expanse.
past form of “talk” — exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading Haney, still troubled by her languid air and gloomy face, took heart, and talked of what Chicago was in the days when he saw it and what it was now.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading MART'S VISIT TO HIS SISTER Bertha woke next morning with a sense of weariness and desolation still at her heart, but she dressed and went to breakfast with Haney at an hour so early that the dining-room was nearly empty.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading MART'S VISIT TO HIS SISTER Bertha woke next morning with a sense of weariness and desolation still at her heart, but she dressed and went to breakfast with Haney at an hour so early that the dining-room was nearly empty.
tinklingadjectiveUS /ˈtɪŋkəlɪŋ/
like the short high ringing sound of a small bell
From this reading But listen: when I was here the Palmer House was the newly built wonder of the West, the streets were tinkling with bobtail horse-cars.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading MART'S VISIT TO HIS SISTER Bertha woke next morning with a sense of weariness and desolation still at her heart, but she dressed and went to breakfast with Haney at an hour so early that the dining-room was nearly empty.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading Haney, still troubled by her languid air and gloomy face, took heart, and talked of what Chicago was in the days when he saw it and what it was now.
characterized by or indicative of distress or affliction or danger or need
From this reading Haney, still troubled by her languid air and gloomy face, took heart, and talked of what Chicago was in the days when he saw it and what it was now.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Lucius, with quiet insistence upon the importance of his employers, had secured a place at a window overlooking the lake, and was glad to see his mistress brighten as her eyes swept the burnished shoreless expanse.
go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading MART'S VISIT TO HIS SISTER Bertha woke next morning with a sense of weariness and desolation still at her heart, but she dressed and went to breakfast with Haney at an hour so early that the dining-room was nearly empty.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading MART'S VISIT TO HIS SISTER Bertha woke next morning with a sense of weariness and desolation still at her heart, but she dressed and went to breakfast with Haney at an hour so early that the dining-room was nearly empty.
wearinessnounUS /ˈwɪrinəs/
temporary loss of strength and energy resulting from hard physical or mental work
From this reading MART'S VISIT TO HIS SISTER Bertha woke next morning with a sense of weariness and desolation still at her heart, but she dressed and went to breakfast with Haney at an hour so early that the dining-room was nearly empty.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading MART'S VISIT TO HIS SISTER Bertha woke next morning with a sense of weariness and desolation still at her heart, but she dressed and went to breakfast with Haney at an hour so early that the dining-room was nearly empty.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But listen: when I was here the Palmer House was the newly built wonder of the West, the streets were tinkling with bobtail horse-cars.
the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America
From this reading But listen: when I was here the Palmer House was the newly built wonder of the West, the streets were tinkling with bobtail horse-cars.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Haney, still troubled by her languid air and gloomy face, took heart, and talked of what Chicago was in the days when he saw it and what it was now.
at the time that
From this reading Haney, still troubled by her languid air and gloomy face, took heart, and talked of what Chicago was in the days when he saw it and what it was now.
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading Lucius, with quiet insistence upon the importance of his employers, had secured a place at a window overlooking the lake, and was glad to see his mistress brighten as her eyes swept the burnished shoreless expanse.
in the company of; together with
From this reading MART'S VISIT TO HIS SISTER Bertha woke next morning with a sense of weariness and desolation still at her heart, but she dressed and went to breakfast with Haney at an hour so early that the dining-room was nearly empty.
wokeverbUS /woʊk/
inflected form of “wake” — be awake, be alert, be there
From this reading MART'S VISIT TO HIS SISTER Bertha woke next morning with a sense of weariness and desolation still at her heart, but she dressed and went to breakfast with Haney at an hour so early that the dining-room was nearly empty.
the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising
From this reading But listen: when I was here the Palmer House was the newly built wonder of the West, the streets were tinkling with bobtail horse-cars.
