used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading If misfortune at the time of birth befalls a mother, as is not infrequent, the snow mound becomes her grave; it is not opened for a long time.
Ac-po-di-soa
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The proud Ac-po-di-soa walked in, followed by his smiling wife, with the sleeping stork gift on her back.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After a long sleep, into which the mother falls after her first joy, she awakes, turns over, drinks some ice-water, eats a little half-cooked meat, and then, shaking the frozen breath from the covers, she wraps herself and her babe snugly in furs.
anew
From this reading Again she sleeps, perhaps twenty-four hours, seemingly in perfect comfort, while the life-stilling winter winds drive over the feeble wall of snow which shelters her from the chilly death outside.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading After a long sleep, into which the mother falls after her first joy, she awakes, turns over, drinks some ice-water, eats a little half-cooked meat, and then, shaking the frozen breath from the covers, she wraps herself and her babe snugly in furs.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading If misfortune at the time of birth befalls a mother, as is not infrequent, the snow mound becomes her grave; it is not opened for a long time.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading If misfortune at the time of birth befalls a mother, as is not infrequent, the snow mound becomes her grave; it is not opened for a long time.
awakes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a long sleep, into which the mother falls after her first joy, she awakes, turns over, drinks some ice-water, eats a little half-cooked meat, and then, shaking the frozen breath from the covers, she wraps herself and her babe snugly in furs.
babenounUS /beɪb/
a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk
From this reading After a long sleep, into which the mother falls after her first joy, she awakes, turns over, drinks some ice-water, eats a little half-cooked meat, and then, shaking the frozen breath from the covers, she wraps herself and her babe snugly in furs.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading The proud Ac-po-di-soa walked in, followed by his smiling wife, with the sleeping stork gift on her back.
third-person singular of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading If misfortune at the time of birth befalls a mother, as is not infrequent, the snow mound becomes her grave; it is not opened for a long time.
befallsverbUS /bɪˈfɔːlz/
third-person singular of “befall” — become of; happen to
From this reading If misfortune at the time of birth befalls a mother, as is not infrequent, the snow mound becomes her grave; it is not opened for a long time.
the time when something begins (especially life)
From this reading If misfortune at the time of birth befalls a mother, as is not infrequent, the snow mound becomes her grave; it is not opened for a long time.
the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing
From this reading After a long sleep, into which the mother falls after her first joy, she awakes, turns over, drinks some ice-water, eats a little half-cooked meat, and then, shaking the frozen breath from the covers, she wraps herself and her babe snugly in furs.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The proud Ac-po-di-soa walked in, followed by his smiling wife, with the sleeping stork gift on her back.
chillyadjectiveUS /ˈtʃɪli/
not characterized by emotion
From this reading Again she sleeps, perhaps twenty-four hours, seemingly in perfect comfort, while the life-stilling winter winds drive over the feeble wall of snow which shelters her from the chilly death outside.
period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6
From this reading One day during Christmas week there was a knock at our door.
a state of being relaxed and feeling no pain
From this reading Again she sleeps, perhaps twenty-four hours, seemingly in perfect comfort, while the life-stilling winter winds drive over the feeble wall of snow which shelters her from the chilly death outside.
coversnounUS /ˈkʌvərz/
plural of “cover” — a covering that serves to conceal or shelter something
From this reading After a long sleep, into which the mother falls after her first joy, she awakes, turns over, drinks some ice-water, eats a little half-cooked meat, and then, shaking the frozen breath from the covers, she wraps herself and her babe snugly in furs.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading One day during Christmas week there was a knock at our door.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading Again she sleeps, perhaps twenty-four hours, seemingly in perfect comfort, while the life-stilling winter winds drive over the feeble wall of snow which shelters her from the chilly death outside.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading One day during Christmas week there was a knock at our door.
drinksnounUS /drɪŋks/
plural of “drink” — a single serving of a beverage
From this reading After a long sleep, into which the mother falls after her first joy, she awakes, turns over, drinks some ice-water, eats a little half-cooked meat, and then, shaking the frozen breath from the covers, she wraps herself and her babe snugly in furs.
operate or control a vehicle
From this reading Again she sleeps, perhaps twenty-four hours, seemingly in perfect comfort, while the life-stilling winter winds drive over the feeble wall of snow which shelters her from the chilly death outside.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading One day during Christmas week there was a knock at our door.
eatsnounUS /iːts/
informal terms for a meal
From this reading After a long sleep, into which the mother falls after her first joy, she awakes, turns over, drinks some ice-water, eats a little half-cooked meat, and then, shaking the frozen breath from the covers, she wraps herself and her babe snugly in furs.
the petals or sepals of a flower that bend downward (especially the outer perianth of an iris)
From this reading After a long sleep, into which the mother falls after her first joy, she awakes, turns over, drinks some ice-water, eats a little half-cooked meat, and then, shaking the frozen breath from the covers, she wraps herself and her babe snugly in furs.
feebleadjectiveUS /ˈfiːbəl/
pathetically lacking in force or effectiveness
From this reading Again she sleeps, perhaps twenty-four hours, seemingly in perfect comfort, while the life-stilling winter winds drive over the feeble wall of snow which shelters her from the chilly death outside.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading After a long sleep, into which the mother falls after her first joy, she awakes, turns over, drinks some ice-water, eats a little half-cooked meat, and then, shaking the frozen breath from the covers, she wraps herself and her babe snugly in furs.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading The proud Ac-po-di-soa walked in, followed by his smiling wife, with the sleeping stork gift on her back.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading If misfortune at the time of birth befalls a mother, as is not infrequent, the snow mound becomes her grave; it is not opened for a long time.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading After a long sleep, into which the mother falls after her first joy, she awakes, turns over, drinks some ice-water, eats a little half-cooked meat, and then, shaking the frozen breath from the covers, she wraps herself and her babe snugly in furs.
frozenadjectiveUS /ˈfroʊzən/
turned into ice; affected by freezing or by long and severe cold
From this reading After a long sleep, into which the mother falls after her first joy, she awakes, turns over, drinks some ice-water, eats a little half-cooked meat, and then, shaking the frozen breath from the covers, she wraps herself and her babe snugly in furs.
fursnounUS /fɜːrz/
plural of “fur” — the dressed hairy coat of a mammal
From this reading After a long sleep, into which the mother falls after her first joy, she awakes, turns over, drinks some ice-water, eats a little half-cooked meat, and then, shaking the frozen breath from the covers, she wraps herself and her babe snugly in furs.
something acquired without compensation
From this reading The proud Ac-po-di-soa walked in, followed by his smiling wife, with the sleeping stork gift on her back.
death of a person
From this reading If misfortune at the time of birth befalls a mother, as is not infrequent, the snow mound becomes her grave; it is not opened for a long time.
half-cooked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a long sleep, into which the mother falls after her first joy, she awakes, turns over, drinks some ice-water, eats a little half-cooked meat, and then, shaking the frozen breath from the covers, she wraps herself and her babe snugly in furs.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading If misfortune at the time of birth befalls a mother, as is not infrequent, the snow mound becomes her grave; it is not opened for a long time.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading After a long sleep, into which the mother falls after her first joy, she awakes, turns over, drinks some ice-water, eats a little half-cooked meat, and then, shaking the frozen breath from the covers, she wraps herself and her babe snugly in furs.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The proud Ac-po-di-soa walked in, followed by his smiling wife, with the sleeping stork gift on her back.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading Again she sleeps, perhaps twenty-four hours, seemingly in perfect comfort, while the life-stilling winter winds drive over the feeble wall of snow which shelters her from the chilly death outside.
ice-water
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a long sleep, into which the mother falls after her first joy, she awakes, turns over, drinks some ice-water, eats a little half-cooked meat, and then, shaking the frozen breath from the covers, she wraps herself and her babe snugly in furs.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If misfortune at the time of birth befalls a mother, as is not infrequent, the snow mound becomes her grave; it is not opened for a long time.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading After a long sleep, into which the mother falls after her first joy, she awakes, turns over, drinks some ice-water, eats a little half-cooked meat, and then, shaking the frozen breath from the covers, she wraps herself and her babe snugly in furs.
infrequentadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈfriːkwənt/
not frequent; not occurring regularly or at short intervals
From this reading If misfortune at the time of birth befalls a mother, as is not infrequent, the snow mound becomes her grave; it is not opened for a long time.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading After a long sleep, into which the mother falls after her first joy, she awakes, turns over, drinks some ice-water, eats a little half-cooked meat, and then, shaking the frozen breath from the covers, she wraps herself and her babe snugly in furs.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading If misfortune at the time of birth befalls a mother, as is not infrequent, the snow mound becomes her grave; it is not opened for a long time.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading If misfortune at the time of birth befalls a mother, as is not infrequent, the snow mound becomes her grave; it is not opened for a long time.
the emotion of great happiness
From this reading After a long sleep, into which the mother falls after her first joy, she awakes, turns over, drinks some ice-water, eats a little half-cooked meat, and then, shaking the frozen breath from the covers, she wraps herself and her babe snugly in furs.
deliver a sharp blow or push
From this reading One day during Christmas week there was a knock at our door.
life-stilling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Again she sleeps, perhaps twenty-four hours, seemingly in perfect comfort, while the life-stilling winter winds drive over the feeble wall of snow which shelters her from the chilly death outside.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading After a long sleep, into which the mother falls after her first joy, she awakes, turns over, drinks some ice-water, eats a little half-cooked meat, and then, shaking the frozen breath from the covers, she wraps herself and her babe snugly in furs.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading If misfortune at the time of birth befalls a mother, as is not infrequent, the snow mound becomes her grave; it is not opened for a long time.
the flesh of animals (including fishes and birds and snails) used as food
From this reading After a long sleep, into which the mother falls after her first joy, she awakes, turns over, drinks some ice-water, eats a little half-cooked meat, and then, shaking the frozen breath from the covers, she wraps herself and her babe snugly in furs.
misfortunenounUS /mɪˈsfɔːrtʃən/
unnecessary and unforeseen trouble resulting from an unfortunate event
From this reading If misfortune at the time of birth befalls a mother, as is not infrequent, the snow mound becomes her grave; it is not opened for a long time.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading If misfortune at the time of birth befalls a mother, as is not infrequent, the snow mound becomes her grave; it is not opened for a long time.
moundnounUS /maʊnd/
(baseball) the slight elevation on which the pitcher stands
From this reading If misfortune at the time of birth befalls a mother, as is not infrequent, the snow mound becomes her grave; it is not opened for a long time.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading If misfortune at the time of birth befalls a mother, as is not infrequent, the snow mound becomes her grave; it is not opened for a long time.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading If misfortune at the time of birth befalls a mother, as is not infrequent, the snow mound becomes her grave; it is not opened for a long time.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The proud Ac-po-di-soa walked in, followed by his smiling wife, with the sleeping stork gift on her back.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One day during Christmas week there was a knock at our door.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading If misfortune at the time of birth befalls a mother, as is not infrequent, the snow mound becomes her grave; it is not opened for a long time.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading One day during Christmas week there was a knock at our door.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading Again she sleeps, perhaps twenty-four hours, seemingly in perfect comfort, while the life-stilling winter winds drive over the feeble wall of snow which shelters her from the chilly death outside.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading After a long sleep, into which the mother falls after her first joy, she awakes, turns over, drinks some ice-water, eats a little half-cooked meat, and then, shaking the frozen breath from the covers, she wraps herself and her babe snugly in furs.
being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish
From this reading Again she sleeps, perhaps twenty-four hours, seemingly in perfect comfort, while the life-stilling winter winds drive over the feeble wall of snow which shelters her from the chilly death outside.
by chance
From this reading Again she sleeps, perhaps twenty-four hours, seemingly in perfect comfort, while the life-stilling winter winds drive over the feeble wall of snow which shelters her from the chilly death outside.
feeling self-respect or pleasure in something by which you measure your self-worth; or being a reason for pride
From this reading The proud Ac-po-di-soa walked in, followed by his smiling wife, with the sleeping stork gift on her back.
seeminglyadverbUS /ˈsiːmɪŋli/
from appearances alone
From this reading Again she sleeps, perhaps twenty-four hours, seemingly in perfect comfort, while the life-stilling winter winds drive over the feeble wall of snow which shelters her from the chilly death outside.
the act of causing something to move up and down (or back and forth) with quick movements
From this reading After a long sleep, into which the mother falls after her first joy, she awakes, turns over, drinks some ice-water, eats a little half-cooked meat, and then, shaking the frozen breath from the covers, she wraps herself and her babe snugly in furs.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading After a long sleep, into which the mother falls after her first joy, she awakes, turns over, drinks some ice-water, eats a little half-cooked meat, and then, shaking the frozen breath from the covers, she wraps herself and her babe snugly in furs.
sheltersnounUS /ˈʃeltərz/
plural of “shelter” — a structure that provides privacy and protection from danger
From this reading Again she sleeps, perhaps twenty-four hours, seemingly in perfect comfort, while the life-stilling winter winds drive over the feeble wall of snow which shelters her from the chilly death outside.
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading After a long sleep, into which the mother falls after her first joy, she awakes, turns over, drinks some ice-water, eats a little half-cooked meat, and then, shaking the frozen breath from the covers, she wraps herself and her babe snugly in furs.
the state of being asleep
From this reading The proud Ac-po-di-soa walked in, followed by his smiling wife, with the sleeping stork gift on her back.
sleepsnounUS /sliːps/
plural of “sleep” — a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading Again she sleeps, perhaps twenty-four hours, seemingly in perfect comfort, while the life-stilling winter winds drive over the feeble wall of snow which shelters her from the chilly death outside.
a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement
From this reading The proud Ac-po-di-soa walked in, followed by his smiling wife, with the sleeping stork gift on her back.
precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
From this reading If misfortune at the time of birth befalls a mother, as is not infrequent, the snow mound becomes her grave; it is not opened for a long time.
snuglyadverbUS /ˈsnʌɡli/
fitting closely
From this reading After a long sleep, into which the mother falls after her first joy, she awakes, turns over, drinks some ice-water, eats a little half-cooked meat, and then, shaking the frozen breath from the covers, she wraps herself and her babe snugly in furs.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading After a long sleep, into which the mother falls after her first joy, she awakes, turns over, drinks some ice-water, eats a little half-cooked meat, and then, shaking the frozen breath from the covers, she wraps herself and her babe snugly in furs.
storknounUS /stɔːrk/
large mostly Old World wading birds typically having white-and-black plumage
From this reading The proud Ac-po-di-soa walked in, followed by his smiling wife, with the sleeping stork gift on her back.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading If misfortune at the time of birth befalls a mother, as is not infrequent, the snow mound becomes her grave; it is not opened for a long time.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading After a long sleep, into which the mother falls after her first joy, she awakes, turns over, drinks some ice-water, eats a little half-cooked meat, and then, shaking the frozen breath from the covers, she wraps herself and her babe snugly in furs.
in or at that place or location
From this reading One day during Christmas week there was a knock at our door.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading If misfortune at the time of birth befalls a mother, as is not infrequent, the snow mound becomes her grave; it is not opened for a long time.
plural of “turn” — a circular segment of a curve
From this reading After a long sleep, into which the mother falls after her first joy, she awakes, turns over, drinks some ice-water, eats a little half-cooked meat, and then, shaking the frozen breath from the covers, she wraps herself and her babe snugly in furs.
twenty-fouradjectiveUS /ˈtwentifɔːr/
being four more than twenty
From this reading Again she sleeps, perhaps twenty-four hours, seemingly in perfect comfort, while the life-stilling winter winds drive over the feeble wall of snow which shelters her from the chilly death outside.
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading The proud Ac-po-di-soa walked in, followed by his smiling wife, with the sleeping stork gift on her back.
an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading Again she sleeps, perhaps twenty-four hours, seemingly in perfect comfort, while the life-stilling winter winds drive over the feeble wall of snow which shelters her from the chilly death outside.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading One day during Christmas week there was a knock at our door.
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading One day during Christmas week there was a knock at our door.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading After a long sleep, into which the mother falls after her first joy, she awakes, turns over, drinks some ice-water, eats a little half-cooked meat, and then, shaking the frozen breath from the covers, she wraps herself and her babe snugly in furs.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Again she sleeps, perhaps twenty-four hours, seemingly in perfect comfort, while the life-stilling winter winds drive over the feeble wall of snow which shelters her from the chilly death outside.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading The proud Ac-po-di-soa walked in, followed by his smiling wife, with the sleeping stork gift on her back.
plural of “wind” — air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading Again she sleeps, perhaps twenty-four hours, seemingly in perfect comfort, while the life-stilling winter winds drive over the feeble wall of snow which shelters her from the chilly death outside.
the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading Again she sleeps, perhaps twenty-four hours, seemingly in perfect comfort, while the life-stilling winter winds drive over the feeble wall of snow which shelters her from the chilly death outside.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The proud Ac-po-di-soa walked in, followed by his smiling wife, with the sleeping stork gift on her back.
wrapsnounUS /ræps/
plural of “wrap” — cloak that is folded or wrapped around a person
From this reading After a long sleep, into which the mother falls after her first joy, she awakes, turns over, drinks some ice-water, eats a little half-cooked meat, and then, shaking the frozen breath from the covers, she wraps herself and her babe snugly in furs.
