used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading And as Mr. Clifford walked up and down the drawing-room, after Blanche had left for the night, his thoughts dwelt with a new joy and hope on the only child of his house, whose birth had left his home so desolate.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading And as Mr. Clifford walked up and down the drawing-room, after Blanche had left for the night, his thoughts dwelt with a new joy and hope on the only child of his house, whose birth had left his home so desolate.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Mr. Clifford smiled to think of the time when her school-room days would be at an end, and she would make her entrance into society to be his companion; and he felt as if life were opening pleasanter vistas before his eyes than it had done for many a day.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The father and daughter spent some very happy hours together on this first evening of their reunion.
weapons considered collectively
From this reading He remembered with what a sad heart he took for the first time the motherless babe into his arms, and what a sorrowful welcome he could only give to her.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading And as Mr. Clifford walked up and down the drawing-room, after Blanche had left for the night, his thoughts dwelt with a new joy and hope on the only child of his house, whose birth had left his home so desolate.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Mr. Clifford smiled to think of the time when her school-room days would be at an end, and she would make her entrance into society to be his companion; and he felt as if life were opening pleasanter vistas before his eyes than it had done for many a day.
babenounUS /beɪb/
a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk
From this reading He remembered with what a sad heart he took for the first time the motherless babe into his arms, and what a sorrowful welcome he could only give to her.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading And now he thought with pride of what a sweet child-woman she had grown, how much she seemed to have deepened lately, and what a beautiful woman she promised to be!
delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration
From this reading And now he thought with pride of what a sweet child-woman she had grown, how much she seemed to have deepened lately, and what a beautiful woman she promised to be!
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Mr. Clifford smiled to think of the time when her school-room days would be at an end, and she would make her entrance into society to be his companion; and he felt as if life were opening pleasanter vistas before his eyes than it had done for many a day.
the time when something begins (especially life)
From this reading And as Mr. Clifford walked up and down the drawing-room, after Blanche had left for the night, his thoughts dwelt with a new joy and hope on the only child of his house, whose birth had left his home so desolate.
Blanche
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And as Mr. Clifford walked up and down the drawing-room, after Blanche had left for the night, his thoughts dwelt with a new joy and hope on the only child of his house, whose birth had left his home so desolate.
a young person of either sex
From this reading And as Mr. Clifford walked up and down the drawing-room, after Blanche had left for the night, his thoughts dwelt with a new joy and hope on the only child of his house, whose birth had left his home so desolate.
child-woman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And now he thought with pride of what a sweet child-woman she had grown, how much she seemed to have deepened lately, and what a beautiful woman she promised to be!
Clifford
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And as Mr. Clifford walked up and down the drawing-room, after Blanche had left for the night, his thoughts dwelt with a new joy and hope on the only child of his house, whose birth had left his home so desolate.
a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading Mr. Clifford smiled to think of the time when her school-room days would be at an end, and she would make her entrance into society to be his companion; and he felt as if life were opening pleasanter vistas before his eyes than it had done for many a day.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He remembered with what a sad heart he took for the first time the motherless babe into his arms, and what a sorrowful welcome he could only give to her.
a female human offspring
From this reading The father and daughter spent some very happy hours together on this first evening of their reunion.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Mr. Clifford smiled to think of the time when her school-room days would be at an end, and she would make her entrance into society to be his companion; and he felt as if life were opening pleasanter vistas before his eyes than it had done for many a day.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading Mr. Clifford smiled to think of the time when her school-room days would be at an end, and she would make her entrance into society to be his companion; and he felt as if life were opening pleasanter vistas before his eyes than it had done for many a day.
deepenedverbUS /ˈdiːpənd/
past form of “deepen” — make more intense, stronger, or more marked
From this reading And now he thought with pride of what a sweet child-woman she had grown, how much she seemed to have deepened lately, and what a beautiful woman she promised to be!
desolateadjectiveUS /ˈdesələt/
providing no shelter or sustenance
From this reading And as Mr. Clifford walked up and down the drawing-room, after Blanche had left for the night, his thoughts dwelt with a new joy and hope on the only child of his house, whose birth had left his home so desolate.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading Mr. Clifford smiled to think of the time when her school-room days would be at an end, and she would make her entrance into society to be his companion; and he felt as if life were opening pleasanter vistas before his eyes than it had done for many a day.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading And as Mr. Clifford walked up and down the drawing-room, after Blanche had left for the night, his thoughts dwelt with a new joy and hope on the only child of his house, whose birth had left his home so desolate.
drawing-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And as Mr. Clifford walked up and down the drawing-room, after Blanche had left for the night, his thoughts dwelt with a new joy and hope on the only child of his house, whose birth had left his home so desolate.
dweltverbUS /dwelt/
inflected form of “dwell” — think moodily or anxiously about something
From this reading And as Mr. Clifford walked up and down the drawing-room, after Blanche had left for the night, his thoughts dwelt with a new joy and hope on the only child of his house, whose birth had left his home so desolate.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading Mr. Clifford smiled to think of the time when her school-room days would be at an end, and she would make her entrance into society to be his companion; and he felt as if life were opening pleasanter vistas before his eyes than it had done for many a day.
something that provides access (to get in or get out)
From this reading Mr. Clifford smiled to think of the time when her school-room days would be at an end, and she would make her entrance into society to be his companion; and he felt as if life were opening pleasanter vistas before his eyes than it had done for many a day.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading The father and daughter spent some very happy hours together on this first evening of their reunion.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Mr. Clifford smiled to think of the time when her school-room days would be at an end, and she would make her entrance into society to be his companion; and he felt as if life were opening pleasanter vistas before his eyes than it had done for many a day.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading The father and daughter spent some very happy hours together on this first evening of their reunion.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading Mr. Clifford smiled to think of the time when her school-room days would be at an end, and she would make her entrance into society to be his companion; and he felt as if life were opening pleasanter vistas before his eyes than it had done for many a day.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The father and daughter spent some very happy hours together on this first evening of their reunion.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading And as Mr. Clifford walked up and down the drawing-room, after Blanche had left for the night, his thoughts dwelt with a new joy and hope on the only child of his house, whose birth had left his home so desolate.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading He remembered with what a sad heart he took for the first time the motherless babe into his arms, and what a sorrowful welcome he could only give to her.
(of animals) fully developed
From this reading And now he thought with pride of what a sweet child-woman she had grown, how much she seemed to have deepened lately, and what a beautiful woman she promised to be!
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading And as Mr. Clifford walked up and down the drawing-room, after Blanche had left for the night, his thoughts dwelt with a new joy and hope on the only child of his house, whose birth had left his home so desolate.
enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading The father and daughter spent some very happy hours together on this first evening of their reunion.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading And now he thought with pride of what a sweet child-woman she had grown, how much she seemed to have deepened lately, and what a beautiful woman she promised to be!
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He remembered with what a sad heart he took for the first time the motherless babe into his arms, and what a sorrowful welcome he could only give to her.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading He remembered with what a sad heart he took for the first time the motherless babe into his arms, and what a sorrowful welcome he could only give to her.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He remembered with what a sad heart he took for the first time the motherless babe into his arms, and what a sorrowful welcome he could only give to her.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading And as Mr. Clifford walked up and down the drawing-room, after Blanche had left for the night, his thoughts dwelt with a new joy and hope on the only child of his house, whose birth had left his home so desolate.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading And as Mr. Clifford walked up and down the drawing-room, after Blanche had left for the night, his thoughts dwelt with a new joy and hope on the only child of his house, whose birth had left his home so desolate.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading And as Mr. Clifford walked up and down the drawing-room, after Blanche had left for the night, his thoughts dwelt with a new joy and hope on the only child of his house, whose birth had left his home so desolate.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading The father and daughter spent some very happy hours together on this first evening of their reunion.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading And as Mr. Clifford walked up and down the drawing-room, after Blanche had left for the night, his thoughts dwelt with a new joy and hope on the only child of his house, whose birth had left his home so desolate.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And now he thought with pride of what a sweet child-woman she had grown, how much she seemed to have deepened lately, and what a beautiful woman she promised to be!
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Mr. Clifford smiled to think of the time when her school-room days would be at an end, and she would make her entrance into society to be his companion; and he felt as if life were opening pleasanter vistas before his eyes than it had done for many a day.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He remembered with what a sad heart he took for the first time the motherless babe into his arms, and what a sorrowful welcome he could only give to her.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Mr. Clifford smiled to think of the time when her school-room days would be at an end, and she would make her entrance into society to be his companion; and he felt as if life were opening pleasanter vistas before his eyes than it had done for many a day.
the emotion of great happiness
From this reading And as Mr. Clifford walked up and down the drawing-room, after Blanche had left for the night, his thoughts dwelt with a new joy and hope on the only child of his house, whose birth had left his home so desolate.
in the recent past
From this reading And now he thought with pride of what a sweet child-woman she had grown, how much she seemed to have deepened lately, and what a beautiful woman she promised to be!
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 And as Mr. Clifford walked up and down the drawing-room, after Blanche had left for the night, his thoughts dwelt with a new joy and hope on the only child of his house, whose birth had left his home so desolate.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Mr. Clifford smiled to think of the time when her school-room days would be at an end, and she would make her entrance into society to be his companion; and he felt as if life were opening pleasanter vistas before his eyes than it had done for many a day.
engage in
From this reading Mr. Clifford smiled to think of the time when her school-room days would be at an end, and she would make her entrance into society to be his companion; and he felt as if life were opening pleasanter vistas before his eyes than it had done for many a day.
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 Mr. Clifford smiled to think of the time when her school-room days would be at an end, and she would make her entrance into society to be his companion; and he felt as if life were opening pleasanter vistas before his eyes than it had done for many a day.
motherlessadjectiveUS /ˈmʌðərlɪs/
having no living or known mother
From this reading He remembered with what a sad heart he took for the first time the motherless babe into his arms, and what a sorrowful welcome he could only give to her.
a form of address for a man
From this reading And as Mr. Clifford walked up and down the drawing-room, after Blanche had left for the night, his thoughts dwelt with a new joy and hope on the only child of his house, whose birth had left his home so desolate.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading And now he thought with pride of what a sweet child-woman she had grown, how much she seemed to have deepened lately, and what a beautiful woman she promised to be!
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading And as Mr. Clifford walked up and down the drawing-room, after Blanche had left for the night, his thoughts dwelt with a new joy and hope on the only child of his house, whose birth had left his home so desolate.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading And as Mr. Clifford walked up and down the drawing-room, after Blanche had left for the night, his thoughts dwelt with a new joy and hope on the only child of his house, whose birth had left his home so desolate.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading And now he thought with pride of what a sweet child-woman she had grown, how much she seemed to have deepened lately, and what a beautiful woman she promised to be!
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The father and daughter spent some very happy hours together on this first evening of their reunion.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The father and daughter spent some very happy hours together on this first evening of their reunion.
and nothing more
From this reading And as Mr. Clifford walked up and down the drawing-room, after Blanche had left for the night, his thoughts dwelt with a new joy and hope on the only child of his house, whose birth had left his home so desolate.
an open or empty space in or between things
From this reading Mr. Clifford smiled to think of the time when her school-room days would be at an end, and she would make her entrance into society to be his companion; and he felt as if life were opening pleasanter vistas before his eyes than it had done for many a day.
pleasanter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Clifford smiled to think of the time when her school-room days would be at an end, and she would make her entrance into society to be his companion; and he felt as if life were opening pleasanter vistas before his eyes than it had done for many a day.
a feeling of self-respect and personal worth
From this reading And now he thought with pride of what a sweet child-woman she had grown, how much she seemed to have deepened lately, and what a beautiful woman she promised to be!
past form of “promise” — make a promise or commitment
From this reading And now he thought with pride of what a sweet child-woman she had grown, how much she seemed to have deepened lately, and what a beautiful woman she promised to be!
past form of “remember” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
From this reading He remembered with what a sad heart he took for the first time the motherless babe into his arms, and what a sorrowful welcome he could only give to her.
reunionnounUS /riˈuːnjən/
a party of former associates who have come together again
From this reading The father and daughter spent some very happy hours together on this first evening of their reunion.
experiencing or showing sorrow or unhappiness
From this reading He remembered with what a sad heart he took for the first time the motherless babe into his arms, and what a sorrowful welcome he could only give to her.
school-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Clifford smiled to think of the time when her school-room days would be at an end, and she would make her entrance into society to be his companion; and he felt as if life were opening pleasanter vistas before his eyes than it had done for many a day.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading And now he thought with pride of what a sweet child-woman she had grown, how much she seemed to have deepened lately, and what a beautiful woman she promised to be!
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading And now he thought with pride of what a sweet child-woman she had grown, how much she seemed to have deepened lately, and what a beautiful woman she promised to be!
past form of “smile” — change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading Mr. Clifford smiled to think of the time when her school-room days would be at an end, and she would make her entrance into society to be his companion; and he felt as if life were opening pleasanter vistas before his eyes than it had done for many a day.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading And as Mr. Clifford walked up and down the drawing-room, after Blanche had left for the night, his thoughts dwelt with a new joy and hope on the only child of his house, whose birth had left his home so desolate.
an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization
From this reading Mr. Clifford smiled to think of the time when her school-room days would be at an end, and she would make her entrance into society to be his companion; and he felt as if life were opening pleasanter vistas before his eyes than it had done for many a day.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading The father and daughter spent some very happy hours together on this first evening of their reunion.
sorrowfuladjectiveUS /ˈsɑːroʊfəl/
experiencing or marked by or expressing sorrow especially that associated with irreparable loss
From this reading He remembered with what a sad heart he took for the first time the motherless babe into his arms, and what a sorrowful welcome he could only give to her.
depleted of energy, force, or strength
From this reading The father and daughter spent some very happy hours together on this first evening of their reunion.
having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar
From this reading And now he thought with pride of what a sweet child-woman she had grown, how much she seemed to have deepened lately, and what a beautiful woman she promised to be!
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Mr. Clifford smiled to think of the time when her school-room days would be at an end, and she would make her entrance into society to be his companion; and he felt as if life were opening pleasanter vistas before his eyes than it had done for many a day.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The father and daughter spent some very happy hours together on this first evening of their reunion.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The father and daughter spent some very happy hours together on this first evening of their reunion.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading Mr. Clifford smiled to think of the time when her school-room days would be at an end, and she would make her entrance into society to be his companion; and he felt as if life were opening pleasanter vistas before his eyes than it had done for many a day.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The father and daughter spent some very happy hours together on this first evening of their reunion.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading And now he thought with pride of what a sweet child-woman she had grown, how much she seemed to have deepened lately, and what a beautiful woman she promised to be!
plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading And as Mr. Clifford walked up and down the drawing-room, after Blanche had left for the night, his thoughts dwelt with a new joy and hope on the only child of his house, whose birth had left his home so desolate.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading He remembered with what a sad heart he took for the first time the motherless babe into his arms, and what a sorrowful welcome he could only give to her.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He remembered with what a sad heart he took for the first time the motherless babe into his arms, and what a sorrowful welcome he could only give to her.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading The father and daughter spent some very happy hours together on this first evening of their reunion.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading He remembered with what a sad heart he took for the first time the motherless babe into his arms, and what a sorrowful welcome he could only give to her.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading And as Mr. Clifford walked up and down the drawing-room, after Blanche had left for the night, his thoughts dwelt with a new joy and hope on the only child of his house, whose birth had left his home so desolate.
precisely as stated
From this reading The father and daughter spent some very happy hours together on this first evening of their reunion.
vistasnounUS /ˈvɪstəz/
plural of “vista” — the visual percept of a region
From this reading Mr. Clifford smiled to think of the time when her school-room days would be at an end, and she would make her entrance into society to be his companion; and he felt as if life were opening pleasanter vistas before his eyes than it had done for many a day.
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading And as Mr. Clifford walked up and down the drawing-room, after Blanche had left for the night, his thoughts dwelt with a new joy and hope on the only child of his house, whose birth had left his home so desolate.
accept gladly
From this reading He remembered with what a sad heart he took for the first time the motherless babe into his arms, and what a sorrowful welcome he could only give to her.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Mr. Clifford smiled to think of the time when her school-room days would be at an end, and she would make her entrance into society to be his companion; and he felt as if life were opening pleasanter vistas before his eyes than it had done for many a day.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading He remembered with what a sad heart he took for the first time the motherless babe into his arms, and what a sorrowful welcome he could only give to her.
at the time that
From this reading Mr. Clifford smiled to think of the time when her school-room days would be at an end, and she would make her entrance into society to be his companion; and he felt as if life were opening pleasanter vistas before his eyes than it had done for many a day.
belonging to which person
From this reading And as Mr. Clifford walked up and down the drawing-room, after Blanche had left for the night, his thoughts dwelt with a new joy and hope on the only child of his house, whose birth had left his home so desolate.
in the company of; together with
From this reading And as Mr. Clifford walked up and down the drawing-room, after Blanche had left for the night, his thoughts dwelt with a new joy and hope on the only child of his house, whose birth had left his home so desolate.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading And now he thought with pride of what a sweet child-woman she had grown, how much she seemed to have deepened lately, and what a beautiful woman she promised to be!
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Mr. Clifford smiled to think of the time when her school-room days would be at an end, and she would make her entrance into society to be his companion; and he felt as if life were opening pleasanter vistas before his eyes than it had done for many a day.
