used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Her brother’s malady showed no signs of improvement; he went about pursued by a thousand phantasmal monetary cares--a craze of his brain for which no remedy could be provided, and which was only kept within bounds by his habit of spending long hours daily in signing imaginary checks in payment of inextinguishable loans.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Her brother’s malady showed no signs of improvement; he went about pursued by a thousand phantasmal monetary cares--a craze of his brain for which no remedy could be provided, and which was only kept within bounds by his habit of spending long hours daily in signing imaginary checks in payment of inextinguishable loans.
highly skilled
From this reading In the late autumn an incident happened to him which accomplished what his medical advisers had considered to be well-nigh impossible in the ordinary course of nature.
acquiescencenounUS /ˌækwiˈesəns/
acceptance without protest
From this reading “We must take our poor darling south for the winter,” said the old grandmother to her husband, “or we shall lose her,” and her sad-eyed partner sighed acquiescence.
make an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quantity, size or scope of
From this reading Alice Montgomery’s health steadily drooped as the weeks went by and brought no sign from her husband in reply to her loving message, and when at length she received the letter written by her husband on leaving the monastery its utter hopelessness served only to add to her misery and to further undermine her health.
advisersnounUS /ædˈvaɪzərz/
plural of “adviser” — an expert who gives advice
From this reading In the late autumn an incident happened to him which accomplished what his medical advisers had considered to be well-nigh impossible in the ordinary course of nature.
Alice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alice Montgomery’s health steadily drooped as the weeks went by and brought no sign from her husband in reply to her loving message, and when at length she received the letter written by her husband on leaving the monastery its utter hopelessness served only to add to her misery and to further undermine her health.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading In the late autumn an incident happened to him which accomplished what his medical advisers had considered to be well-nigh impossible in the ordinary course of nature.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Alice Montgomery’s health steadily drooped as the weeks went by and brought no sign from her husband in reply to her loving message, and when at length she received the letter written by her husband on leaving the monastery its utter hopelessness served only to add to her misery and to further undermine her health.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Alice Montgomery’s health steadily drooped as the weeks went by and brought no sign from her husband in reply to her loving message, and when at length she received the letter written by her husband on leaving the monastery its utter hopelessness served only to add to her misery and to further undermine her health.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Alice Montgomery’s health steadily drooped as the weeks went by and brought no sign from her husband in reply to her loving message, and when at length she received the letter written by her husband on leaving the monastery its utter hopelessness served only to add to her misery and to further undermine her health.
the season when the leaves fall from the trees
From this reading In the late autumn an incident happened to him which accomplished what his medical advisers had considered to be well-nigh impossible in the ordinary course of nature.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Her brother’s malady showed no signs of improvement; he went about pursued by a thousand phantasmal monetary cares--a craze of his brain for which no remedy could be provided, and which was only kept within bounds by his habit of spending long hours daily in signing imaginary checks in payment of inextinguishable loans.
boundsnounUS /baʊndz/
the line or plane indicating the limit or extent of something
From this reading Her brother’s malady showed no signs of improvement; he went about pursued by a thousand phantasmal monetary cares--a craze of his brain for which no remedy could be provided, and which was only kept within bounds by his habit of spending long hours daily in signing imaginary checks in payment of inextinguishable loans.
that part of the central nervous system that includes all the higher nervous centers; enclosed within the skull; continuous with the spinal cord
From this reading Her brother’s malady showed no signs of improvement; he went about pursued by a thousand phantasmal monetary cares--a craze of his brain for which no remedy could be provided, and which was only kept within bounds by his habit of spending long hours daily in signing imaginary checks in payment of inextinguishable loans.
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading For Alice, the spring of her life seemed broken, and look which way she would, the horizon seemed dark and hopeless.
brother'snounUS /ˈbrʌðərz/
possessive form of “brother” — a male with the same parents as someone else
From this reading Her brother’s malady showed no signs of improvement; he went about pursued by a thousand phantasmal monetary cares--a craze of his brain for which no remedy could be provided, and which was only kept within bounds by his habit of spending long hours daily in signing imaginary checks in payment of inextinguishable loans.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading Alice Montgomery’s health steadily drooped as the weeks went by and brought no sign from her husband in reply to her loving message, and when at length she received the letter written by her husband on leaving the monastery its utter hopelessness served only to add to her misery and to further undermine her health.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Alice Montgomery’s health steadily drooped as the weeks went by and brought no sign from her husband in reply to her loving message, and when at length she received the letter written by her husband on leaving the monastery its utter hopelessness served only to add to her misery and to further undermine her health.
caresnounUS /kerz/
plural of “care” — the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading Her brother’s malady showed no signs of improvement; he went about pursued by a thousand phantasmal monetary cares--a craze of his brain for which no remedy could be provided, and which was only kept within bounds by his habit of spending long hours daily in signing imaginary checks in payment of inextinguishable loans.
checksnounUS /tʃeks/
plural of “check” — a written order directing a bank to pay money
From this reading Her brother’s malady showed no signs of improvement; he went about pursued by a thousand phantasmal monetary cares--a craze of his brain for which no remedy could be provided, and which was only kept within bounds by his habit of spending long hours daily in signing imaginary checks in payment of inextinguishable loans.
carefully weighed
From this reading In the late autumn an incident happened to him which accomplished what his medical advisers had considered to be well-nigh impossible in the ordinary course of nature.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Her brother’s malady showed no signs of improvement; he went about pursued by a thousand phantasmal monetary cares--a craze of his brain for which no remedy could be provided, and which was only kept within bounds by his habit of spending long hours daily in signing imaginary checks in payment of inextinguishable loans.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading In the late autumn an incident happened to him which accomplished what his medical advisers had considered to be well-nigh impossible in the ordinary course of nature.
crazenounUS /kreɪz/
an interest followed with exaggerated zeal
From this reading Her brother’s malady showed no signs of improvement; he went about pursued by a thousand phantasmal monetary cares--a craze of his brain for which no remedy could be provided, and which was only kept within bounds by his habit of spending long hours daily in signing imaginary checks in payment of inextinguishable loans.
every day; without missing a day
From this reading Her brother’s malady showed no signs of improvement; he went about pursued by a thousand phantasmal monetary cares--a craze of his brain for which no remedy could be provided, and which was only kept within bounds by his habit of spending long hours daily in signing imaginary checks in payment of inextinguishable loans.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading For Alice, the spring of her life seemed broken, and look which way she would, the horizon seemed dark and hopeless.
a special loved one
From this reading “We must take our poor darling south for the winter,” said the old grandmother to her husband, “or we shall lose her,” and her sad-eyed partner sighed acquiescence.
droopedverbUS /druːpt/
past form of “droop” — droop, sink, or settle from or as if from pressure or loss of tautness
From this reading Alice Montgomery’s health steadily drooped as the weeks went by and brought no sign from her husband in reply to her loving message, and when at length she received the letter written by her husband on leaving the monastery its utter hopelessness served only to add to her misery and to further undermine her health.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading “We must take our poor darling south for the winter,” said the old grandmother to her husband, “or we shall lose her,” and her sad-eyed partner sighed acquiescence.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Alice Montgomery’s health steadily drooped as the weeks went by and brought no sign from her husband in reply to her loving message, and when at length she received the letter written by her husband on leaving the monastery its utter hopelessness served only to add to her misery and to further undermine her health.
to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)
From this reading Alice Montgomery’s health steadily drooped as the weeks went by and brought no sign from her husband in reply to her loving message, and when at length she received the letter written by her husband on leaving the monastery its utter hopelessness served only to add to her misery and to further undermine her health.
the mother of your father or mother
From this reading “We must take our poor darling south for the winter,” said the old grandmother to her husband, “or we shall lose her,” and her sad-eyed partner sighed acquiescence.
an established custom
From this reading Her brother’s malady showed no signs of improvement; he went about pursued by a thousand phantasmal monetary cares--a craze of his brain for which no remedy could be provided, and which was only kept within bounds by his habit of spending long hours daily in signing imaginary checks in payment of inextinguishable loans.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading In the late autumn an incident happened to him which accomplished what his medical advisers had considered to be well-nigh impossible in the ordinary course of nature.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading In the late autumn an incident happened to him which accomplished what his medical advisers had considered to be well-nigh impossible in the ordinary course of nature.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Her brother’s malady showed no signs of improvement; he went about pursued by a thousand phantasmal monetary cares--a craze of his brain for which no remedy could be provided, and which was only kept within bounds by his habit of spending long hours daily in signing imaginary checks in payment of inextinguishable loans.
a healthy state of wellbeing free from disease
From this reading Alice Montgomery’s health steadily drooped as the weeks went by and brought no sign from her husband in reply to her loving message, and when at length she received the letter written by her husband on leaving the monastery its utter hopelessness served only to add to her misery and to further undermine her health.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Alice Montgomery’s health steadily drooped as the weeks went by and brought no sign from her husband in reply to her loving message, and when at length she received the letter written by her husband on leaving the monastery its utter hopelessness served only to add to her misery and to further undermine her health.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading In the late autumn an incident happened to him which accomplished what his medical advisers had considered to be well-nigh impossible in the ordinary course of nature.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Her brother’s malady showed no signs of improvement; he went about pursued by a thousand phantasmal monetary cares--a craze of his brain for which no remedy could be provided, and which was only kept within bounds by his habit of spending long hours daily in signing imaginary checks in payment of inextinguishable loans.
hopelessadjectiveUS /ˈhoʊpləs/
without hope because there seems to be no possibility of comfort or success
From this reading For Alice, the spring of her life seemed broken, and look which way she would, the horizon seemed dark and hopeless.
hopelessnessnounUS /ˈhoʊpləsnəs/
the despair you feel when you have abandoned hope of comfort or success
From this reading Alice Montgomery’s health steadily drooped as the weeks went by and brought no sign from her husband in reply to her loving message, and when at length she received the letter written by her husband on leaving the monastery its utter hopelessness served only to add to her misery and to further undermine her health.
the line at which the sky and Earth appear to meet
From this reading For Alice, the spring of her life seemed broken, and look which way she would, the horizon seemed dark and hopeless.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading Her brother’s malady showed no signs of improvement; he went about pursued by a thousand phantasmal monetary cares--a craze of his brain for which no remedy could be provided, and which was only kept within bounds by his habit of spending long hours daily in signing imaginary checks in payment of inextinguishable loans.
a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading Alice Montgomery’s health steadily drooped as the weeks went by and brought no sign from her husband in reply to her loving message, and when at length she received the letter written by her husband on leaving the monastery its utter hopelessness served only to add to her misery and to further undermine her health.
imaginaryadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈmædʒəneri/
not based on fact; existing only in the imagination
From this reading Her brother’s malady showed no signs of improvement; he went about pursued by a thousand phantasmal monetary cares--a craze of his brain for which no remedy could be provided, and which was only kept within bounds by his habit of spending long hours daily in signing imaginary checks in payment of inextinguishable loans.
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading In the late autumn an incident happened to him which accomplished what his medical advisers had considered to be well-nigh impossible in the ordinary course of nature.
improvementnounUS /ˌɪmˈpruːvmənt/
a change for the better; progress in development
From this reading Her brother’s malady showed no signs of improvement; he went about pursued by a thousand phantasmal monetary cares--a craze of his brain for which no remedy could be provided, and which was only kept within bounds by his habit of spending long hours daily in signing imaginary checks in payment of inextinguishable loans.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Alice Montgomery’s health steadily drooped as the weeks went by and brought no sign from her husband in reply to her loving message, and when at length she received the letter written by her husband on leaving the monastery its utter hopelessness served only to add to her misery and to further undermine her health.
a single distinct event
From this reading In the late autumn an incident happened to him which accomplished what his medical advisers had considered to be well-nigh impossible in the ordinary course of nature.
inextinguishableadjective
difficult or impossible to extinguish
From this reading Her brother’s malady showed no signs of improvement; he went about pursued by a thousand phantasmal monetary cares--a craze of his brain for which no remedy could be provided, and which was only kept within bounds by his habit of spending long hours daily in signing imaginary checks in payment of inextinguishable loans.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Alice Montgomery’s health steadily drooped as the weeks went by and brought no sign from her husband in reply to her loving message, and when at length she received the letter written by her husband on leaving the monastery its utter hopelessness served only to add to her misery and to further undermine her health.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading Her brother’s malady showed no signs of improvement; he went about pursued by a thousand phantasmal monetary cares--a craze of his brain for which no remedy could be provided, and which was only kept within bounds by his habit of spending long hours daily in signing imaginary checks in payment of inextinguishable loans.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading In the late autumn an incident happened to him which accomplished what his medical advisers had considered to be well-nigh impossible in the ordinary course of nature.
the act of departing
From this reading Alice Montgomery’s health steadily drooped as the weeks went by and brought no sign from her husband in reply to her loving message, and when at length she received the letter written by her husband on leaving the monastery its utter hopelessness served only to add to her misery and to further undermine her health.
the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place
From this reading Alice Montgomery’s health steadily drooped as the weeks went by and brought no sign from her husband in reply to her loving message, and when at length she received the letter written by her husband on leaving the monastery its utter hopelessness served only to add to her misery and to further undermine her health.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading Alice Montgomery’s health steadily drooped as the weeks went by and brought no sign from her husband in reply to her loving message, and when at length she received the letter written by her husband on leaving the monastery its utter hopelessness served only to add to her misery and to further undermine her health.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading For Alice, the spring of her life seemed broken, and look which way she would, the horizon seemed dark and hopeless.
loansnounUS /loʊnz/
plural of “loan” — the temporary provision of money (usually at interest)
From this reading Her brother’s malady showed no signs of improvement; he went about pursued by a thousand phantasmal monetary cares--a craze of his brain for which no remedy could be provided, and which was only kept within bounds by his habit of spending long hours daily in signing imaginary checks in payment of inextinguishable loans.
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 Her brother’s malady showed no signs of improvement; he went about pursued by a thousand phantasmal monetary cares--a craze of his brain for which no remedy could be provided, and which was only kept within bounds by his habit of spending long hours daily in signing imaginary checks in payment of inextinguishable loans.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading For Alice, the spring of her life seemed broken, and look which way she would, the horizon seemed dark and hopeless.
fail to keep or to maintain; cease to have, either physically or in an abstract sense
From this reading “We must take our poor darling south for the winter,” said the old grandmother to her husband, “or we shall lose her,” and her sad-eyed partner sighed acquiescence.
feeling or showing love and affection
From this reading Alice Montgomery’s health steadily drooped as the weeks went by and brought no sign from her husband in reply to her loving message, and when at length she received the letter written by her husband on leaving the monastery its utter hopelessness served only to add to her misery and to further undermine her health.
maladynounUS /ˈmælədi/
any unwholesome or desperate condition
From this reading Her brother’s malady showed no signs of improvement; he went about pursued by a thousand phantasmal monetary cares--a craze of his brain for which no remedy could be provided, and which was only kept within bounds by his habit of spending long hours daily in signing imaginary checks in payment of inextinguishable loans.
medicaladjectiveUS /ˈmedəkəl/
relating to the study or practice of medicine
From this reading In the late autumn an incident happened to him which accomplished what his medical advisers had considered to be well-nigh impossible in the ordinary course of nature.
a communication (usually brief) that is written or spoken or signaled
From this reading Alice Montgomery’s health steadily drooped as the weeks went by and brought no sign from her husband in reply to her loving message, and when at length she received the letter written by her husband on leaving the monastery its utter hopelessness served only to add to her misery and to further undermine her health.
a state of ill-being due to affliction or misfortune
From this reading Alice Montgomery’s health steadily drooped as the weeks went by and brought no sign from her husband in reply to her loving message, and when at length she received the letter written by her husband on leaving the monastery its utter hopelessness served only to add to her misery and to further undermine her health.
monasterynounUS /ˈmɑːnəsteri/
the residence of a religious community
From this reading Alice Montgomery’s health steadily drooped as the weeks went by and brought no sign from her husband in reply to her loving message, and when at length she received the letter written by her husband on leaving the monastery its utter hopelessness served only to add to her misery and to further undermine her health.
monetaryadjectiveUS /ˈmɑːnəteri/
relating to or involving money
From this reading Her brother’s malady showed no signs of improvement; he went about pursued by a thousand phantasmal monetary cares--a craze of his brain for which no remedy could be provided, and which was only kept within bounds by his habit of spending long hours daily in signing imaginary checks in payment of inextinguishable loans.
Montgomery'snounUS /mɑːntˈɡʌmriz/
possessive form of “montgomery” — Canadian novelist (1874-1942)
From this reading Alice Montgomery’s health steadily drooped as the weeks went by and brought no sign from her husband in reply to her loving message, and when at length she received the letter written by her husband on leaving the monastery its utter hopelessness served only to add to her misery and to further undermine her health.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading “We must take our poor darling south for the winter,” said the old grandmother to her husband, “or we shall lose her,” and her sad-eyed partner sighed acquiescence.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading In the late autumn an incident happened to him which accomplished what his medical advisers had considered to be well-nigh impossible in the ordinary course of nature.
not any; not one
From this reading Alice Montgomery’s health steadily drooped as the weeks went by and brought no sign from her husband in reply to her loving message, and when at length she received the letter written by her husband on leaving the monastery its utter hopelessness served only to add to her misery and to further undermine her health.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading For Alice, the spring of her life seemed broken, and look which way she would, the horizon seemed dark and hopeless.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading “We must take our poor darling south for the winter,” said the old grandmother to her husband, “or we shall lose her,” and her sad-eyed partner sighed acquiescence.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Alice Montgomery’s health steadily drooped as the weeks went by and brought no sign from her husband in reply to her loving message, and when at length she received the letter written by her husband on leaving the monastery its utter hopelessness served only to add to her misery and to further undermine her health.
and nothing more
From this reading Alice Montgomery’s health steadily drooped as the weeks went by and brought no sign from her husband in reply to her loving message, and when at length she received the letter written by her husband on leaving the monastery its utter hopelessness served only to add to her misery and to further undermine her health.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading “We must take our poor darling south for the winter,” said the old grandmother to her husband, “or we shall lose her,” and her sad-eyed partner sighed acquiescence.
a judge of a probate court
From this reading In the late autumn an incident happened to him which accomplished what his medical advisers had considered to be well-nigh impossible in the ordinary course of nature.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading “We must take our poor darling south for the winter,” said the old grandmother to her husband, “or we shall lose her,” and her sad-eyed partner sighed acquiescence.
partnernounUS /ˈpɑːrtnər/
a person's partner in marriage
From this reading “We must take our poor darling south for the winter,” said the old grandmother to her husband, “or we shall lose her,” and her sad-eyed partner sighed acquiescence.
paymentnounUS /ˈpeɪmənt/
a sum of money paid or a claim discharged
From this reading Her brother’s malady showed no signs of improvement; he went about pursued by a thousand phantasmal monetary cares--a craze of his brain for which no remedy could be provided, and which was only kept within bounds by his habit of spending long hours daily in signing imaginary checks in payment of inextinguishable loans.
phantasmaladjective
resembling or characteristic of a phantom
From this reading Her brother’s malady showed no signs of improvement; he went about pursued by a thousand phantasmal monetary cares--a craze of his brain for which no remedy could be provided, and which was only kept within bounds by his habit of spending long hours daily in signing imaginary checks in payment of inextinguishable loans.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading “We must take our poor darling south for the winter,” said the old grandmother to her husband, “or we shall lose her,” and her sad-eyed partner sighed acquiescence.
past form of “provide” — give something useful or necessary to
From this reading Her brother’s malady showed no signs of improvement; he went about pursued by a thousand phantasmal monetary cares--a craze of his brain for which no remedy could be provided, and which was only kept within bounds by his habit of spending long hours daily in signing imaginary checks in payment of inextinguishable loans.
a person who is being chased
From this reading Her brother’s malady showed no signs of improvement; he went about pursued by a thousand phantasmal monetary cares--a craze of his brain for which no remedy could be provided, and which was only kept within bounds by his habit of spending long hours daily in signing imaginary checks in payment of inextinguishable loans.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading Alice Montgomery’s health steadily drooped as the weeks went by and brought no sign from her husband in reply to her loving message, and when at length she received the letter written by her husband on leaving the monastery its utter hopelessness served only to add to her misery and to further undermine her health.
remedynounUS /ˈremədi/
act of correcting an error or a fault or an evil
From this reading Her brother’s malady showed no signs of improvement; he went about pursued by a thousand phantasmal monetary cares--a craze of his brain for which no remedy could be provided, and which was only kept within bounds by his habit of spending long hours daily in signing imaginary checks in payment of inextinguishable loans.
a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation
From this reading Alice Montgomery’s health steadily drooped as the weeks went by and brought no sign from her husband in reply to her loving message, and when at length she received the letter written by her husband on leaving the monastery its utter hopelessness served only to add to her misery and to further undermine her health.
sad-eyed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “We must take our poor darling south for the winter,” said the old grandmother to her husband, “or we shall lose her,” and her sad-eyed partner sighed acquiescence.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “We must take our poor darling south for the winter,” said the old grandmother to her husband, “or we shall lose her,” and her sad-eyed partner sighed acquiescence.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading For Alice, the spring of her life seemed broken, and look which way she would, the horizon seemed dark and hopeless.
past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading Alice Montgomery’s health steadily drooped as the weeks went by and brought no sign from her husband in reply to her loving message, and when at length she received the letter written by her husband on leaving the monastery its utter hopelessness served only to add to her misery and to further undermine her health.
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading “We must take our poor darling south for the winter,” said the old grandmother to her husband, “or we shall lose her,” and her sad-eyed partner sighed acquiescence.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Alice Montgomery’s health steadily drooped as the weeks went by and brought no sign from her husband in reply to her loving message, and when at length she received the letter written by her husband on leaving the monastery its utter hopelessness served only to add to her misery and to further undermine her health.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Her brother’s malady showed no signs of improvement; he went about pursued by a thousand phantasmal monetary cares--a craze of his brain for which no remedy could be provided, and which was only kept within bounds by his habit of spending long hours daily in signing imaginary checks in payment of inextinguishable loans.
past form of “sigh” — heave or utter a sigh; breathe deeply and heavily
From this reading “We must take our poor darling south for the winter,” said the old grandmother to her husband, “or we shall lose her,” and her sad-eyed partner sighed acquiescence.
a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading Alice Montgomery’s health steadily drooped as the weeks went by and brought no sign from her husband in reply to her loving message, and when at length she received the letter written by her husband on leaving the monastery its utter hopelessness served only to add to her misery and to further undermine her health.
signingnounUS /ˈsaɪnɪŋ/
language expressed by visible hand gestures
From this reading Her brother’s malady showed no signs of improvement; he went about pursued by a thousand phantasmal monetary cares--a craze of his brain for which no remedy could be provided, and which was only kept within bounds by his habit of spending long hours daily in signing imaginary checks in payment of inextinguishable loans.
plural of “sign” — a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading Her brother’s malady showed no signs of improvement; he went about pursued by a thousand phantasmal monetary cares--a craze of his brain for which no remedy could be provided, and which was only kept within bounds by his habit of spending long hours daily in signing imaginary checks in payment of inextinguishable loans.
the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading “We must take our poor darling south for the winter,” said the old grandmother to her husband, “or we shall lose her,” and her sad-eyed partner sighed acquiescence.
spendingnounUS /ˈspendɪŋ/
the act of spending or disbursing money
From this reading Her brother’s malady showed no signs of improvement; he went about pursued by a thousand phantasmal monetary cares--a craze of his brain for which no remedy could be provided, and which was only kept within bounds by his habit of spending long hours daily in signing imaginary checks in payment of inextinguishable loans.
the season of growth
From this reading For Alice, the spring of her life seemed broken, and look which way she would, the horizon seemed dark and hopeless.
at a steady rate or pace
From this reading Alice Montgomery’s health steadily drooped as the weeks went by and brought no sign from her husband in reply to her loving message, and when at length she received the letter written by her husband on leaving the monastery its utter hopelessness served only to add to her misery and to further undermine her health.
carry out
From this reading “We must take our poor darling south for the winter,” said the old grandmother to her husband, “or we shall lose her,” and her sad-eyed partner sighed acquiescence.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Alice Montgomery’s health steadily drooped as the weeks went by and brought no sign from her husband in reply to her loving message, and when at length she received the letter written by her husband on leaving the monastery its utter hopelessness served only to add to her misery and to further undermine her health.
the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100
From this reading Her brother’s malady showed no signs of improvement; he went about pursued by a thousand phantasmal monetary cares--a craze of his brain for which no remedy could be provided, and which was only kept within bounds by his habit of spending long hours daily in signing imaginary checks in payment of inextinguishable loans.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Alice Montgomery’s health steadily drooped as the weeks went by and brought no sign from her husband in reply to her loving message, and when at length she received the letter written by her husband on leaving the monastery its utter hopelessness served only to add to her misery and to further undermine her health.
undermineverbUS /ˈʌndərmaɪn/
destroy property or hinder normal operations
From this reading Alice Montgomery’s health steadily drooped as the weeks went by and brought no sign from her husband in reply to her loving message, and when at length she received the letter written by her husband on leaving the monastery its utter hopelessness served only to add to her misery and to further undermine her health.
articulate; either verbally or with a cry, shout, or noise
From this reading Alice Montgomery’s health steadily drooped as the weeks went by and brought no sign from her husband in reply to her loving message, and when at length she received the letter written by her husband on leaving the monastery its utter hopelessness served only to add to her misery and to further undermine her health.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Her brother’s malady showed no signs of improvement; he went about pursued by a thousand phantasmal monetary cares--a craze of his brain for which no remedy could be provided, and which was only kept within bounds by his habit of spending long hours daily in signing imaginary checks in payment of inextinguishable loans.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading For Alice, the spring of her life seemed broken, and look which way she would, the horizon seemed dark and hopeless.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading “We must take our poor darling south for the winter,” said the old grandmother to her husband, “or we shall lose her,” and her sad-eyed partner sighed acquiescence.
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading Alice Montgomery’s health steadily drooped as the weeks went by and brought no sign from her husband in reply to her loving message, and when at length she received the letter written by her husband on leaving the monastery its utter hopelessness served only to add to her misery and to further undermine her health.
well-nighadverb
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading In the late autumn an incident happened to him which accomplished what his medical advisers had considered to be well-nigh impossible in the ordinary course of nature.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Alice Montgomery’s health steadily drooped as the weeks went by and brought no sign from her husband in reply to her loving message, and when at length she received the letter written by her husband on leaving the monastery its utter hopelessness served only to add to her misery and to further undermine her health.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading In the late autumn an incident happened to him which accomplished what his medical advisers had considered to be well-nigh impossible in the ordinary course of nature.
at the time that
From this reading Alice Montgomery’s health steadily drooped as the weeks went by and brought no sign from her husband in reply to her loving message, and when at length she received the letter written by her husband on leaving the monastery its utter hopelessness served only to add to her misery and to further undermine her health.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading For Alice, the spring of her life seemed broken, and look which way she would, the horizon seemed dark and hopeless.
the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading “We must take our poor darling south for the winter,” said the old grandmother to her husband, “or we shall lose her,” and her sad-eyed partner sighed acquiescence.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading Her brother’s malady showed no signs of improvement; he went about pursued by a thousand phantasmal monetary cares--a craze of his brain for which no remedy could be provided, and which was only kept within bounds by his habit of spending long hours daily in signing imaginary checks in payment of inextinguishable loans.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading For Alice, the spring of her life seemed broken, and look which way she would, the horizon seemed dark and hopeless.
set down in writing in any of various ways
From this reading Alice Montgomery’s health steadily drooped as the weeks went by and brought no sign from her husband in reply to her loving message, and when at length she received the letter written by her husband on leaving the monastery its utter hopelessness served only to add to her misery and to further undermine her health.
