Chapter XX · Chapter 20

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading It was a bitter winter, with more rain than snow, more snow than sunshine, and it seemed to Helen that half her life was spent in watching for Zebedee's figure bent against the storm as he drove up the road, while Mildred Caniper lay slackly in her bed.

a New Testament book describing the development of the early church from Christ's Ascension to Paul's sojourn at Rome

From this reading Said one of these, "The past is over," yet she saw the whole future of these Canipers as the product of her acts.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading It was a bitter winter, with more rain than snow, more snow than sunshine, and it seemed to Helen that half her life was spent in watching for Zebedee's figure bent against the storm as he drove up the road, while Mildred Caniper lay slackly in her bed.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading It was a bitter winter, with more rain than snow, more snow than sunshine, and it seemed to Helen that half her life was spent in watching for Zebedee's figure bent against the storm as he drove up the road, while Mildred Caniper lay slackly in her bed.

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading This was the threat in the sound which reached her, soft or loud, as bells are heard in the wind, and in the meantime she steadied herself with varying arguments.

plural of “argument” — a fact or assertion offered as evidence that something is true

From this reading This was the threat in the sound which reached her, soft or loud, as bells are heard in the wind, and in the meantime she steadied herself with varying arguments.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading It was a bitter winter, with more rain than snow, more snow than sunshine, and it seemed to Helen that half her life was spent in watching for Zebedee's figure bent against the storm as he drove up the road, while Mildred Caniper lay slackly in her bed.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading She no longer stared at the ceiling, for though her body had collapsed, her will had only wavered, and it was righting itself slowly, and the old thoughts which had been hunting her for years had not yet overcome her.

past form of “bay” — utter in deep prolonged tones

From this reading Like hounds, they bayed behind, and some day their breath would be on her neck, their teeth in her flesh, and she would fall to them.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading Like hounds, they bayed behind, and some day their breath would be on her neck, their teeth in her flesh, and she would fall to them.

a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep

From this reading It was a bitter winter, with more rain than snow, more snow than sunshine, and it seemed to Helen that half her life was spent in watching for Zebedee's figure bent against the storm as he drove up the road, while Mildred Caniper lay slackly in her bed.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading She no longer stared at the ceiling, for though her body had collapsed, her will had only wavered, and it was righting itself slowly, and the old thoughts which had been hunting her for years had not yet overcome her.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading Like hounds, they bayed behind, and some day their breath would be on her neck, their teeth in her flesh, and she would fall to them.

plural of “bell” — a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck

From this reading This was the threat in the sound which reached her, soft or loud, as bells are heard in the wind, and in the meantime she steadied herself with varying arguments.

a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way

From this reading It was a bitter winter, with more rain than snow, more snow than sunshine, and it seemed to Helen that half her life was spent in watching for Zebedee's figure bent against the storm as he drove up the road, while Mildred Caniper lay slackly in her bed.

marked by strong resentment or cynicism

From this reading It was a bitter winter, with more rain than snow, more snow than sunshine, and it seemed to Helen that half her life was spent in watching for Zebedee's figure bent against the storm as he drove up the road, while Mildred Caniper lay slackly in her bed.

the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)

From this reading She no longer stared at the ceiling, for though her body had collapsed, her will had only wavered, and it was righting itself slowly, and the old thoughts which had been hunting her for years had not yet overcome her.

the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing

From this reading Like hounds, they bayed behind, and some day their breath would be on her neck, their teeth in her flesh, and she would fall to them.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was a bitter winter, with more rain than snow, more snow than sunshine, and it seemed to Helen that half her life was spent in watching for Zebedee's figure bent against the storm as he drove up the road, while Mildred Caniper lay slackly in her bed.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Said one of these, "The past is over," yet she saw the whole future of these Canipers as the product of her acts.

the overhead upper surface of a covered space

From this reading She no longer stared at the ceiling, for though her body had collapsed, her will had only wavered, and it was righting itself slowly, and the old thoughts which had been hunting her for years had not yet overcome her.

past form of “collapse” — break down, literally or metaphorically

From this reading She no longer stared at the ceiling, for though her body had collapsed, her will had only wavered, and it was righting itself slowly, and the old thoughts which had been hunting her for years had not yet overcome her.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading Like hounds, they bayed behind, and some day their breath would be on her neck, their teeth in her flesh, and she would fall to them.

a group of animals (a herd or flock) moving together

From this reading It was a bitter winter, with more rain than snow, more snow than sunshine, and it seemed to Helen that half her life was spent in watching for Zebedee's figure bent against the storm as he drove up the road, while Mildred Caniper lay slackly in her bed.

descend in free fall under the influence of gravity

From this reading Like hounds, they bayed behind, and some day their breath would be on her neck, their teeth in her flesh, and she would fall to them.

a diagram or picture illustrating textual material

From this reading It was a bitter winter, with more rain than snow, more snow than sunshine, and it seemed to Helen that half her life was spent in watching for Zebedee's figure bent against the storm as he drove up the road, while Mildred Caniper lay slackly in her bed.

the soft tissue of the body of a vertebrate: mainly muscle tissue and fat

From this reading Like hounds, they bayed behind, and some day their breath would be on her neck, their teeth in her flesh, and she would fall to them.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It was a bitter winter, with more rain than snow, more snow than sunshine, and it seemed to Helen that half her life was spent in watching for Zebedee's figure bent against the storm as he drove up the road, while Mildred Caniper lay slackly in her bed.

yet to be or coming

From this reading Said one of these, "The past is over," yet she saw the whole future of these Canipers as the product of her acts.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading She no longer stared at the ceiling, for though her body had collapsed, her will had only wavered, and it was righting itself slowly, and the old thoughts which had been hunting her for years had not yet overcome her.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading It was a bitter winter, with more rain than snow, more snow than sunshine, and it seemed to Helen that half her life was spent in watching for Zebedee's figure bent against the storm as he drove up the road, while Mildred Caniper lay slackly in her bed.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading It was a bitter winter, with more rain than snow, more snow than sunshine, and it seemed to Helen that half her life was spent in watching for Zebedee's figure bent against the storm as he drove up the road, while Mildred Caniper lay slackly in her bed.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading This was the threat in the sound which reached her, soft or loud, as bells are heard in the wind, and in the meantime she steadied herself with varying arguments.

(Greek mythology) the beautiful daughter of Zeus and Leda who was abducted by Paris; the Greek army sailed to Troy to get her back which resulted in the Trojan War

From this reading It was a bitter winter, with more rain than snow, more snow than sunshine, and it seemed to Helen that half her life was spent in watching for Zebedee's figure bent against the storm as he drove up the road, while Mildred Caniper lay slackly in her bed.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading It was a bitter winter, with more rain than snow, more snow than sunshine, and it seemed to Helen that half her life was spent in watching for Zebedee's figure bent against the storm as he drove up the road, while Mildred Caniper lay slackly in her bed.

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading This was the threat in the sound which reached her, soft or loud, as bells are heard in the wind, and in the meantime she steadied herself with varying arguments.

plural of “hound” — any of several breeds of dog used for hunting typically having large drooping ears

From this reading Like hounds, they bayed behind, and some day their breath would be on her neck, their teeth in her flesh, and she would fall to them.

the pursuit and killing or capture of wild animals regarded as a sport

From this reading She no longer stared at the ceiling, for though her body had collapsed, her will had only wavered, and it was righting itself slowly, and the old thoughts which had been hunting her for years had not yet overcome her.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading It was a bitter winter, with more rain than snow, more snow than sunshine, and it seemed to Helen that half her life was spent in watching for Zebedee's figure bent against the storm as he drove up the road, while Mildred Caniper lay slackly in her bed.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Said one of these, "The past is over," yet she saw the whole future of these Canipers as the product of her acts.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was a bitter winter, with more rain than snow, more snow than sunshine, and it seemed to Helen that half her life was spent in watching for Zebedee's figure bent against the storm as he drove up the road, while Mildred Caniper lay slackly in her bed.

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading She no longer stared at the ceiling, for though her body had collapsed, her will had only wavered, and it was righting itself slowly, and the old thoughts which had been hunting her for years had not yet overcome her.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading It was a bitter winter, with more rain than snow, more snow than sunshine, and it seemed to Helen that half her life was spent in watching for Zebedee's figure bent against the storm as he drove up the road, while Mildred Caniper lay slackly in her bed.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading It was a bitter winter, with more rain than snow, more snow than sunshine, and it seemed to Helen that half her life was spent in watching for Zebedee's figure bent against the storm as he drove up the road, while Mildred Caniper lay slackly in her bed.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Like hounds, they bayed behind, and some day their breath would be on her neck, their teeth in her flesh, and she would fall to them.

for more time

From this reading She no longer stared at the ceiling, for though her body had collapsed, her will had only wavered, and it was righting itself slowly, and the old thoughts which had been hunting her for years had not yet overcome her.

characterized by or producing sound of great volume or intensity

From this reading This was the threat in the sound which reached her, soft or loud, as bells are heard in the wind, and in the meantime she steadied herself with varying arguments.

the time between one event, process, or period and another

From this reading This was the threat in the sound which reached her, soft or loud, as bells are heard in the wind, and in the meantime she steadied herself with varying arguments.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was a bitter winter, with more rain than snow, more snow than sunshine, and it seemed to Helen that half her life was spent in watching for Zebedee's figure bent against the storm as he drove up the road, while Mildred Caniper lay slackly in her bed.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading It was a bitter winter, with more rain than snow, more snow than sunshine, and it seemed to Helen that half her life was spent in watching for Zebedee's figure bent against the storm as he drove up the road, while Mildred Caniper lay slackly in her bed.

the part of an organism (human or animal) that connects the head to the rest of the body

From this reading Like hounds, they bayed behind, and some day their breath would be on her neck, their teeth in her flesh, and she would fall to them.

not any; not one

From this reading She no longer stared at the ceiling, for though her body had collapsed, her will had only wavered, and it was righting itself slowly, and the old thoughts which had been hunting her for years had not yet overcome her.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading She no longer stared at the ceiling, for though her body had collapsed, her will had only wavered, and it was righting itself slowly, and the old thoughts which had been hunting her for years had not yet overcome her.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Said one of these, "The past is over," yet she saw the whole future of these Canipers as the product of her acts.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading She no longer stared at the ceiling, for though her body had collapsed, her will had only wavered, and it was righting itself slowly, and the old thoughts which had been hunting her for years had not yet overcome her.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Like hounds, they bayed behind, and some day their breath would be on her neck, their teeth in her flesh, and she would fall to them.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Said one of these, "The past is over," yet she saw the whole future of these Canipers as the product of her acts.

and nothing more

From this reading She no longer stared at the ceiling, for though her body had collapsed, her will had only wavered, and it was righting itself slowly, and the old thoughts which had been hunting her for years had not yet overcome her.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading This was the threat in the sound which reached her, soft or loud, as bells are heard in the wind, and in the meantime she steadied herself with varying arguments.

above and across; more than

From this reading Said one of these, "The past is over," yet she saw the whole future of these Canipers as the product of her acts.

win a victory over

From this reading She no longer stared at the ceiling, for though her body had collapsed, her will had only wavered, and it was righting itself slowly, and the old thoughts which had been hunting her for years had not yet overcome her.

the time that has elapsed

From this reading Said one of these, "The past is over," yet she saw the whole future of these Canipers as the product of her acts.

commodities offered for sale

From this reading Said one of these, "The past is over," yet she saw the whole future of these Canipers as the product of her acts.

water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere

From this reading It was a bitter winter, with more rain than snow, more snow than sunshine, and it seemed to Helen that half her life was spent in watching for Zebedee's figure bent against the storm as he drove up the road, while Mildred Caniper lay slackly in her bed.

past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading This was the threat in the sound which reached her, soft or loud, as bells are heard in the wind, and in the meantime she steadied herself with varying arguments.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She no longer stared at the ceiling, for though her body had collapsed, her will had only wavered, and it was righting itself slowly, and the old thoughts which had been hunting her for years had not yet overcome her.

an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation

From this reading It was a bitter winter, with more rain than snow, more snow than sunshine, and it seemed to Helen that half her life was spent in watching for Zebedee's figure bent against the storm as he drove up the road, while Mildred Caniper lay slackly in her bed.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading Said one of these, "The past is over," yet she saw the whole future of these Canipers as the product of her acts.

cut with a saw

From this reading Said one of these, "The past is over," yet she saw the whole future of these Canipers as the product of her acts.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading It was a bitter winter, with more rain than snow, more snow than sunshine, and it seemed to Helen that half her life was spent in watching for Zebedee's figure bent against the storm as he drove up the road, while Mildred Caniper lay slackly in her bed.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading She no longer stared at the ceiling, for though her body had collapsed, her will had only wavered, and it was righting itself slowly, and the old thoughts which had been hunting her for years had not yet overcome her.

in a relaxed manner; not rigid

From this reading It was a bitter winter, with more rain than snow, more snow than sunshine, and it seemed to Helen that half her life was spent in watching for Zebedee's figure bent against the storm as he drove up the road, while Mildred Caniper lay slackly in her bed.

without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)

From this reading She no longer stared at the ceiling, for though her body had collapsed, her will had only wavered, and it was righting itself slowly, and the old thoughts which had been hunting her for years had not yet overcome her.

precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals

From this reading It was a bitter winter, with more rain than snow, more snow than sunshine, and it seemed to Helen that half her life was spent in watching for Zebedee's figure bent against the storm as he drove up the road, while Mildred Caniper lay slackly in her bed.

yielding readily to pressure or weight

From this reading This was the threat in the sound which reached her, soft or loud, as bells are heard in the wind, and in the meantime she steadied herself with varying arguments.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading Like hounds, they bayed behind, and some day their breath would be on her neck, their teeth in her flesh, and she would fall to them.

the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading This was the threat in the sound which reached her, soft or loud, as bells are heard in the wind, and in the meantime she steadied herself with varying arguments.

depleted of energy, force, or strength

From this reading It was a bitter winter, with more rain than snow, more snow than sunshine, and it seemed to Helen that half her life was spent in watching for Zebedee's figure bent against the storm as he drove up the road, while Mildred Caniper lay slackly in her bed.

past form of “stare” — look at with fixed eyes

From this reading She no longer stared at the ceiling, for though her body had collapsed, her will had only wavered, and it was righting itself slowly, and the old thoughts which had been hunting her for years had not yet overcome her.

made steady or constant

From this reading This was the threat in the sound which reached her, soft or loud, as bells are heard in the wind, and in the meantime she steadied herself with varying arguments.

behave violently, as if in state of a great anger

From this reading It was a bitter winter, with more rain than snow, more snow than sunshine, and it seemed to Helen that half her life was spent in watching for Zebedee's figure bent against the storm as he drove up the road, while Mildred Caniper lay slackly in her bed.

the rays of the sun

From this reading It was a bitter winter, with more rain than snow, more snow than sunshine, and it seemed to Helen that half her life was spent in watching for Zebedee's figure bent against the storm as he drove up the road, while Mildred Caniper lay slackly in her bed.

the kind and number and arrangement of teeth (collectively) in a person or animal

From this reading Like hounds, they bayed behind, and some day their breath would be on her neck, their teeth in her flesh, and she would fall to them.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading It was a bitter winter, with more rain than snow, more snow than sunshine, and it seemed to Helen that half her life was spent in watching for Zebedee's figure bent against the storm as he drove up the road, while Mildred Caniper lay slackly in her bed.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was a bitter winter, with more rain than snow, more snow than sunshine, and it seemed to Helen that half her life was spent in watching for Zebedee's figure bent against the storm as he drove up the road, while Mildred Caniper lay slackly in her bed.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading It was a bitter winter, with more rain than snow, more snow than sunshine, and it seemed to Helen that half her life was spent in watching for Zebedee's figure bent against the storm as he drove up the road, while Mildred Caniper lay slackly in her bed.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Like hounds, they bayed behind, and some day their breath would be on her neck, their teeth in her flesh, and she would fall to them.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Like hounds, they bayed behind, and some day their breath would be on her neck, their teeth in her flesh, and she would fall to them.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading Said one of these, "The past is over," yet she saw the whole future of these Canipers as the product of her acts.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Like hounds, they bayed behind, and some day their breath would be on her neck, their teeth in her flesh, and she would fall to them.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading This was the threat in the sound which reached her, soft or loud, as bells are heard in the wind, and in the meantime she steadied herself with varying arguments.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading She no longer stared at the ceiling, for though her body had collapsed, her will had only wavered, and it was righting itself slowly, and the old thoughts which had been hunting her for years had not yet overcome her.

plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading She no longer stared at the ceiling, for though her body had collapsed, her will had only wavered, and it was righting itself slowly, and the old thoughts which had been hunting her for years had not yet overcome her.

something that is a source of danger

From this reading This was the threat in the sound which reached her, soft or loud, as bells are heard in the wind, and in the meantime she steadied herself with varying arguments.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading It was a bitter winter, with more rain than snow, more snow than sunshine, and it seemed to Helen that half her life was spent in watching for Zebedee's figure bent against the storm as he drove up the road, while Mildred Caniper lay slackly in her bed.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading It was a bitter winter, with more rain than snow, more snow than sunshine, and it seemed to Helen that half her life was spent in watching for Zebedee's figure bent against the storm as he drove up the road, while Mildred Caniper lay slackly in her bed.

marked by diversity or difference

From this reading This was the threat in the sound which reached her, soft or loud, as bells are heard in the wind, and in the meantime she steadied herself with varying arguments.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading It was a bitter winter, with more rain than snow, more snow than sunshine, and it seemed to Helen that half her life was spent in watching for Zebedee's figure bent against the storm as he drove up the road, while Mildred Caniper lay slackly in her bed.

the act of observing; taking a patient look

From this reading It was a bitter winter, with more rain than snow, more snow than sunshine, and it seemed to Helen that half her life was spent in watching for Zebedee's figure bent against the storm as he drove up the road, while Mildred Caniper lay slackly in her bed.

past form of “waver” — pause or hold back in uncertainty or unwillingness

From this reading She no longer stared at the ceiling, for though her body had collapsed, her will had only wavered, and it was righting itself slowly, and the old thoughts which had been hunting her for years had not yet overcome her.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading She no longer stared at the ceiling, for though her body had collapsed, her will had only wavered, and it was righting itself slowly, and the old thoughts which had been hunting her for years had not yet overcome her.

during the time that

From this reading It was a bitter winter, with more rain than snow, more snow than sunshine, and it seemed to Helen that half her life was spent in watching for Zebedee's figure bent against the storm as he drove up the road, while Mildred Caniper lay slackly in her bed.

including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete

From this reading Said one of these, "The past is over," yet she saw the whole future of these Canipers as the product of her acts.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading She no longer stared at the ceiling, for though her body had collapsed, her will had only wavered, and it was righting itself slowly, and the old thoughts which had been hunting her for years had not yet overcome her.

air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

From this reading This was the threat in the sound which reached her, soft or loud, as bells are heard in the wind, and in the meantime she steadied herself with varying arguments.

the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox

From this reading It was a bitter winter, with more rain than snow, more snow than sunshine, and it seemed to Helen that half her life was spent in watching for Zebedee's figure bent against the storm as he drove up the road, while Mildred Caniper lay slackly in her bed.

in the company of; together with

From this reading It was a bitter winter, with more rain than snow, more snow than sunshine, and it seemed to Helen that half her life was spent in watching for Zebedee's figure bent against the storm as he drove up the road, while Mildred Caniper lay slackly in her bed.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading Like hounds, they bayed behind, and some day their breath would be on her neck, their teeth in her flesh, and she would fall to them.

a late time of life

From this reading She no longer stared at the ceiling, for though her body had collapsed, her will had only wavered, and it was righting itself slowly, and the old thoughts which had been hunting her for years had not yet overcome her.

but in spite of that

From this reading She no longer stared at the ceiling, for though her body had collapsed, her will had only wavered, and it was righting itself slowly, and the old thoughts which had been hunting her for years had not yet overcome her.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was a bitter winter, with more rain than snow, more snow than sunshine, and it seemed to Helen that half her life was spent in watching for Zebedee's figure bent against the storm as he drove up the road, while Mildred Caniper lay slackly in her bed.