used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading She was an old woman who, for twenty years, had helped the neighbouring gentry into the world; and she had a copious store of ghastly anecdote.
accountsnounUS /əˈkaʊnts/
plural of “account” — a record or narrative description of past events
From this reading Of course, in her mind, she acted for the best; Bertha was nervous, and the nurse could imagine no better way of reassuring her than to give detailed accounts of patients who for days had been at death’s door, given up by all the doctors, and yet had finally recovered.
past form of “act” — perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
From this reading Of course, in her mind, she acted for the best; Bertha was nervous, and the nurse could imagine no better way of reassuring her than to give detailed accounts of patients who for days had been at death’s door, given up by all the doctors, and yet had finally recovered.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading Of course, in her mind, she acted for the best; Bertha was nervous, and the nurse could imagine no better way of reassuring her than to give detailed accounts of patients who for days had been at death’s door, given up by all the doctors, and yet had finally recovered.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading She was an old woman who, for twenty years, had helped the neighbouring gentry into the world; and she had a copious store of ghastly anecdote.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She was an old woman who, for twenty years, had helped the neighbouring gentry into the world; and she had a copious store of ghastly anecdote.
anecdotenounUS /ˈænəkdoʊt/
short account of an incident (especially a biographical one)
From this reading She was an old woman who, for twenty years, had helped the neighbouring gentry into the world; and she had a copious store of ghastly anecdote.
anguishnounUS /ˈæŋɡwɪʃ/
extreme mental distress
From this reading Bertha’s quick invention magnified the coming anguish till, for thinking of it, she could hardly sleep.
appallingnounUS /əˈpɔːlɪŋ/
an experience that appalls
From this reading In her mouth the terrors of birth were innumerable, and she told her stories with a cumulative art that was appalling.
apprehensionnounUS /ˌæprɪˈhenʃən/
fearful expectation or anticipation
From this reading The nurse arrived, bringing new apprehension.
past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading The nurse arrived, bringing new apprehension.
artauxiliary verbUS /ɑːrt/
an old form of “are”, used with “thou”
From this reading In her mouth the terrors of birth were innumerable, and she told her stories with a cumulative art that was appalling.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Of course, in her mind, she acted for the best; Bertha was nervous, and the nurse could imagine no better way of reassuring her than to give detailed accounts of patients who for days had been at death’s door, given up by all the doctors, and yet had finally recovered.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Of course, in her mind, she acted for the best; Bertha was nervous, and the nurse could imagine no better way of reassuring her than to give detailed accounts of patients who for days had been at death’s door, given up by all the doctors, and yet had finally recovered.
Bertha
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course, in her mind, she acted for the best; Bertha was nervous, and the nurse could imagine no better way of reassuring her than to give detailed accounts of patients who for days had been at death’s door, given up by all the doctors, and yet had finally recovered.
Bertha's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bertha’s quick invention magnified the coming anguish till, for thinking of it, she could hardly sleep.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading Of course, in her mind, she acted for the best; Bertha was nervous, and the nurse could imagine no better way of reassuring her than to give detailed accounts of patients who for days had been at death’s door, given up by all the doctors, and yet had finally recovered.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading Of course, in her mind, she acted for the best; Bertha was nervous, and the nurse could imagine no better way of reassuring her than to give detailed accounts of patients who for days had been at death’s door, given up by all the doctors, and yet had finally recovered.
the time when something begins (especially life)
From this reading In her mouth the terrors of birth were innumerable, and she told her stories with a cumulative art that was appalling.
the act of delivering or distributing something (as goods or mail)
From this reading The nurse arrived, bringing new apprehension.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Of course, in her mind, she acted for the best; Bertha was nervous, and the nurse could imagine no better way of reassuring her than to give detailed accounts of patients who for days had been at death’s door, given up by all the doctors, and yet had finally recovered.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading Bertha’s quick invention magnified the coming anguish till, for thinking of it, she could hardly sleep.
copiousadjectiveUS /ˈkoʊpiəs/
large in number or quantity (especially of discourse)
From this reading She was an old woman who, for twenty years, had helped the neighbouring gentry into the world; and she had a copious store of ghastly anecdote.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Of course, in her mind, she acted for the best; Bertha was nervous, and the nurse could imagine no better way of reassuring her than to give detailed accounts of patients who for days had been at death’s door, given up by all the doctors, and yet had finally recovered.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading Of course, in her mind, she acted for the best; Bertha was nervous, and the nurse could imagine no better way of reassuring her than to give detailed accounts of patients who for days had been at death’s door, given up by all the doctors, and yet had finally recovered.
cumulativeadjectiveUS /ˈkjuːmjələtɪv/
increasing by successive addition
From this reading In her mouth the terrors of birth were innumerable, and she told her stories with a cumulative art that was appalling.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading Of course, in her mind, she acted for the best; Bertha was nervous, and the nurse could imagine no better way of reassuring her than to give detailed accounts of patients who for days had been at death’s door, given up by all the doctors, and yet had finally recovered.
death'snounUS /deθs/
possessive form of “death” — the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading Of course, in her mind, she acted for the best; Bertha was nervous, and the nurse could imagine no better way of reassuring her than to give detailed accounts of patients who for days had been at death’s door, given up by all the doctors, and yet had finally recovered.
detailedadjectiveUS /dɪˈteɪld/
developed or executed with care and in minute detail
From this reading Of course, in her mind, she acted for the best; Bertha was nervous, and the nurse could imagine no better way of reassuring her than to give detailed accounts of patients who for days had been at death’s door, given up by all the doctors, and yet had finally recovered.
doctorsnounUS /ˈdɑːktərz/
plural of “doctor” — a licensed medical practitioner
From this reading Of course, in her mind, she acted for the best; Bertha was nervous, and the nurse could imagine no better way of reassuring her than to give detailed accounts of patients who for days had been at death’s door, given up by all the doctors, and yet had finally recovered.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Of course, in her mind, she acted for the best; Bertha was nervous, and the nurse could imagine no better way of reassuring her than to give detailed accounts of patients who for days had been at death’s door, given up by all the doctors, and yet had finally recovered.
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading Of course, in her mind, she acted for the best; Bertha was nervous, and the nurse could imagine no better way of reassuring her than to give detailed accounts of patients who for days had been at death’s door, given up by all the doctors, and yet had finally recovered.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading She was an old woman who, for twenty years, had helped the neighbouring gentry into the world; and she had a copious store of ghastly anecdote.
gentrynounUS /ˈdʒentri/
the most powerful members of a society
From this reading She was an old woman who, for twenty years, had helped the neighbouring gentry into the world; and she had a copious store of ghastly anecdote.
ghastlyadjectiveUS /ˈɡæstli/
shockingly repellent; inspiring horror
From this reading She was an old woman who, for twenty years, had helped the neighbouring gentry into the world; and she had a copious store of ghastly anecdote.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading Of course, in her mind, she acted for the best; Bertha was nervous, and the nurse could imagine no better way of reassuring her than to give detailed accounts of patients who for days had been at death’s door, given up by all the doctors, and yet had finally recovered.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading Of course, in her mind, she acted for the best; Bertha was nervous, and the nurse could imagine no better way of reassuring her than to give detailed accounts of patients who for days had been at death’s door, given up by all the doctors, and yet had finally recovered.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She was an old woman who, for twenty years, had helped the neighbouring gentry into the world; and she had a copious store of ghastly anecdote.
only a very short time before
From this reading Bertha’s quick invention magnified the coming anguish till, for thinking of it, she could hardly sleep.
past form of “help” — give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading She was an old woman who, for twenty years, had helped the neighbouring gentry into the world; and she had a copious store of ghastly anecdote.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading In her mouth the terrors of birth were innumerable, and she told her stories with a cumulative art that was appalling.
form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case
From this reading Of course, in her mind, she acted for the best; Bertha was nervous, and the nurse could imagine no better way of reassuring her than to give detailed accounts of patients who for days had been at death’s door, given up by all the doctors, and yet had finally recovered.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In her mouth the terrors of birth were innumerable, and she told her stories with a cumulative art that was appalling.
innumerableadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈnuːmərəbəl/
too numerous to be counted
From this reading In her mouth the terrors of birth were innumerable, and she told her stories with a cumulative art that was appalling.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading She was an old woman who, for twenty years, had helped the neighbouring gentry into the world; and she had a copious store of ghastly anecdote.
inventionnounUS /ˌɪnˈvenʃən/
the creation of something in the mind
From this reading Bertha’s quick invention magnified the coming anguish till, for thinking of it, she could hardly sleep.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Bertha’s quick invention magnified the coming anguish till, for thinking of it, she could hardly sleep.
magnifiedadjectiveUS /ˈmæɡnəfaɪd/
enlarged to an abnormal degree
From this reading Bertha’s quick invention magnified the coming anguish till, for thinking of it, she could hardly sleep.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading Of course, in her mind, she acted for the best; Bertha was nervous, and the nurse could imagine no better way of reassuring her than to give detailed accounts of patients who for days had been at death’s door, given up by all the doctors, and yet had finally recovered.
the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading In her mouth the terrors of birth were innumerable, and she told her stories with a cumulative art that was appalling.
neighbouringverbUS /ˈneɪbərɪŋ/
-ing form of “neighbour” — live or be located as a neighbor
From this reading She was an old woman who, for twenty years, had helped the neighbouring gentry into the world; and she had a copious store of ghastly anecdote.
easily agitated
From this reading Of course, in her mind, she acted for the best; Bertha was nervous, and the nurse could imagine no better way of reassuring her than to give detailed accounts of patients who for days had been at death’s door, given up by all the doctors, and yet had finally recovered.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading The nurse arrived, bringing new apprehension.
not any; not one
From this reading Of course, in her mind, she acted for the best; Bertha was nervous, and the nurse could imagine no better way of reassuring her than to give detailed accounts of patients who for days had been at death’s door, given up by all the doctors, and yet had finally recovered.
try to cure by special care of treatment, of an illness or injury
From this reading The nurse arrived, bringing new apprehension.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She was an old woman who, for twenty years, had helped the neighbouring gentry into the world; and she had a copious store of ghastly anecdote.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading She was an old woman who, for twenty years, had helped the neighbouring gentry into the world; and she had a copious store of ghastly anecdote.
patientsnounUS /ˈpeɪʃənts/
plural of “patient” — a person who requires medical care
From this reading Of course, in her mind, she acted for the best; Bertha was nervous, and the nurse could imagine no better way of reassuring her than to give detailed accounts of patients who for days had been at death’s door, given up by all the doctors, and yet had finally recovered.
accomplished rapidly and without delay
From this reading Bertha’s quick invention magnified the coming anguish till, for thinking of it, she could hardly sleep.
reassuringadjectiveUS /ˌriːəˈʃʊrɪŋ/
restoring confidence and relieving anxiety
From this reading Of course, in her mind, she acted for the best; Bertha was nervous, and the nurse could imagine no better way of reassuring her than to give detailed accounts of patients who for days had been at death’s door, given up by all the doctors, and yet had finally recovered.
freed from illness or injury
From this reading Of course, in her mind, she acted for the best; Bertha was nervous, and the nurse could imagine no better way of reassuring her than to give detailed accounts of patients who for days had been at death’s door, given up by all the doctors, and yet had finally recovered.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She was an old woman who, for twenty years, had helped the neighbouring gentry into the world; and she had a copious store of ghastly anecdote.
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading Bertha’s quick invention magnified the coming anguish till, for thinking of it, she could hardly sleep.
a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services
From this reading She was an old woman who, for twenty years, had helped the neighbouring gentry into the world; and she had a copious store of ghastly anecdote.
plural of “story” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading In her mouth the terrors of birth were innumerable, and she told her stories with a cumulative art that was appalling.
terrorsnounUS /ˈterərz/
plural of “terror” — an overwhelming feeling of fear and anxiety
From this reading In her mouth the terrors of birth were innumerable, and she told her stories with a cumulative art that was appalling.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Of course, in her mind, she acted for the best; Bertha was nervous, and the nurse could imagine no better way of reassuring her than to give detailed accounts of patients who for days had been at death’s door, given up by all the doctors, and yet had finally recovered.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading In her mouth the terrors of birth were innumerable, and she told her stories with a cumulative art that was appalling.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The nurse arrived, bringing new apprehension.
the process of using your mind to consider something carefully
From this reading Bertha’s quick invention magnified the coming anguish till, for thinking of it, she could hardly sleep.
up to a particular time
From this reading Bertha’s quick invention magnified the coming anguish till, for thinking of it, she could hardly sleep.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Of course, in her mind, she acted for the best; Bertha was nervous, and the nurse could imagine no better way of reassuring her than to give detailed accounts of patients who for days had been at death’s door, given up by all the doctors, and yet had finally recovered.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading In her mouth the terrors of birth were innumerable, and she told her stories with a cumulative art that was appalling.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one
From this reading She was an old woman who, for twenty years, had helped the neighbouring gentry into the world; and she had a copious store of ghastly anecdote.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Of course, in her mind, she acted for the best; Bertha was nervous, and the nurse could imagine no better way of reassuring her than to give detailed accounts of patients who for days had been at death’s door, given up by all the doctors, and yet had finally recovered.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She was an old woman who, for twenty years, had helped the neighbouring gentry into the world; and she had a copious store of ghastly anecdote.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Of course, in her mind, she acted for the best; Bertha was nervous, and the nurse could imagine no better way of reassuring her than to give detailed accounts of patients who for days had been at death’s door, given up by all the doctors, and yet had finally recovered.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading In her mouth the terrors of birth were innumerable, and she told her stories with a cumulative art that was appalling.
which person or people
From this reading She was an old woman who, for twenty years, had helped the neighbouring gentry into the world; and she had a copious store of ghastly anecdote.
in the company of; together with
From this reading In her mouth the terrors of birth were innumerable, and she told her stories with a cumulative art that was appalling.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading She was an old woman who, for twenty years, had helped the neighbouring gentry into the world; and she had a copious store of ghastly anecdote.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading She was an old woman who, for twenty years, had helped the neighbouring gentry into the world; and she had a copious store of ghastly anecdote.
a late time of life
From this reading She was an old woman who, for twenty years, had helped the neighbouring gentry into the world; and she had a copious store of ghastly anecdote.
but in spite of that
From this reading Of course, in her mind, she acted for the best; Bertha was nervous, and the nurse could imagine no better way of reassuring her than to give detailed accounts of patients who for days had been at death’s door, given up by all the doctors, and yet had finally recovered.
