used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Madelon overhears a Conversation.
acted upon; influenced
From this reading Had it not been for this, they would have kept it from her longer; but the news scarcely affected her at all.
(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 Had it not been for this, they would have kept it from her longer; but the news scarcely affected her at all.
AmidstprepositionUS /əˈmɪdst/
in the middle of; surrounded by
From this reading Amidst the springing flowers, the twitter of pairing birds, and the bursting of green leaves through the brown, downy husks, in the bounteous April weather, Madelon began to recover rapidly.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Amidst the springing flowers, the twitter of pairing birds, and the bursting of green leaves through the brown, downy husks, in the bounteous April weather, Madelon began to recover rapidly.
AprilnounUS /ˈeɪprəl/
the month following March and preceding May
From this reading Amidst the springing flowers, the twitter of pairing birds, and the bursting of green leaves through the brown, downy husks, in the bounteous April weather, Madelon began to recover rapidly.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Had it not been for this, they would have kept it from her longer; but the news scarcely affected her at all.
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading It was in the first days of her convalescence that she heard of the death of her aunt Therese, through some chance remark of one of the Sisters who came into her cell.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Had it not been for this, they would have kept it from her longer; but the news scarcely affected her at all.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Amidst the springing flowers, the twitter of pairing birds, and the bursting of green leaves through the brown, downy husks, in the bounteous April weather, Madelon began to recover rapidly.
plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading Amidst the springing flowers, the twitter of pairing birds, and the bursting of green leaves through the brown, downy husks, in the bounteous April weather, Madelon began to recover rapidly.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading She was nursed with kindness and care, if not exactly with tenderness, by Soeur Lucie; but tenderness our little black sheep had long since learnt not to expect in the convent, and she hardly missed it now.
bounteousadjective
given or giving freely
From this reading Amidst the springing flowers, the twitter of pairing birds, and the bursting of green leaves through the brown, downy husks, in the bounteous April weather, Madelon began to recover rapidly.
an orange of low brightness and saturation
From this reading Amidst the springing flowers, the twitter of pairing birds, and the bursting of green leaves through the brown, downy husks, in the bounteous April weather, Madelon began to recover rapidly.
burstingverbUS /ˈbɜːrstɪŋ/
-ing form of “burst” — come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure
From this reading Amidst the springing flowers, the twitter of pairing birds, and the bursting of green leaves through the brown, downy husks, in the bounteous April weather, Madelon began to recover rapidly.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She was nursed with kindness and care, if not exactly with tenderness, by Soeur Lucie; but tenderness our little black sheep had long since learnt not to expect in the convent, and she hardly missed it now.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading She was nursed with kindness and care, if not exactly with tenderness, by Soeur Lucie; but tenderness our little black sheep had long since learnt not to expect in the convent, and she hardly missed it now.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading It was in the first days of her convalescence that she heard of the death of her aunt Therese, through some chance remark of one of the Sisters who came into her cell.
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading She was nursed with kindness and care, if not exactly with tenderness, by Soeur Lucie; but tenderness our little black sheep had long since learnt not to expect in the convent, and she hardly missed it now.
cellnounUS /sel/
A small stone room in a prison where an inmate is locked behind iron bars.
From this reading It was in the first days of her convalescence that she heard of the death of her aunt Therese, through some chance remark of one of the Sisters who came into her cell.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading It was in the first days of her convalescence that she heard of the death of her aunt Therese, through some chance remark of one of the Sisters who came into her cell.
convalescencenounUS /ˌkɑːnvəˈlesəns/
gradual healing (through rest) after sickness or injury
From this reading It was in the first days of her convalescence that she heard of the death of her aunt Therese, through some chance remark of one of the Sisters who came into her cell.
conventnounUS /ˈkɑːnvənt/
a religious residence especially for nuns
From this reading She was nursed with kindness and care, if not exactly with tenderness, by Soeur Lucie; but tenderness our little black sheep had long since learnt not to expect in the convent, and she hardly missed it now.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading Madelon overhears a Conversation.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading It was in the first days of her convalescence that she heard of the death of her aunt Therese, through some chance remark of one of the Sisters who came into her cell.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading It was in the first days of her convalescence that she heard of the death of her aunt Therese, through some chance remark of one of the Sisters who came into her cell.
downyadjectiveUS /ˈdaʊni/
like down or as soft as down
From this reading Amidst the springing flowers, the twitter of pairing birds, and the bursting of green leaves through the brown, downy husks, in the bounteous April weather, Madelon began to recover rapidly.
indicating exactness or preciseness
From this reading She was nursed with kindness and care, if not exactly with tenderness, by Soeur Lucie; but tenderness our little black sheep had long since learnt not to expect in the convent, and she hardly missed it now.
regard something as probable or likely
From this reading She was nursed with kindness and care, if not exactly with tenderness, by Soeur Lucie; but tenderness our little black sheep had long since learnt not to expect in the convent, and she hardly missed it now.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading It was in the first days of her convalescence that she heard of the death of her aunt Therese, through some chance remark of one of the Sisters who came into her cell.
plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms
From this reading Amidst the springing flowers, the twitter of pairing birds, and the bursting of green leaves through the brown, downy husks, in the bounteous April weather, Madelon began to recover rapidly.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Had it not been for this, they would have kept it from her longer; but the news scarcely affected her at all.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Had it not been for this, they would have kept it from her longer; but the news scarcely affected her at all.
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading Amidst the springing flowers, the twitter of pairing birds, and the bursting of green leaves through the brown, downy husks, in the bounteous April weather, Madelon began to recover rapidly.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She was nursed with kindness and care, if not exactly with tenderness, by Soeur Lucie; but tenderness our little black sheep had long since learnt not to expect in the convent, and she hardly missed it now.
only a very short time before
From this reading She was nursed with kindness and care, if not exactly with tenderness, by Soeur Lucie; but tenderness our little black sheep had long since learnt not to expect in the convent, and she hardly missed it now.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Had it not been for this, they would have kept it from her longer; but the news scarcely affected her at all.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading It was in the first days of her convalescence that she heard of the death of her aunt Therese, through some chance remark of one of the Sisters who came into her cell.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading It was in the first days of her convalescence that she heard of the death of her aunt Therese, through some chance remark of one of the Sisters who came into her cell.
husksnounUS /hʌsks/
plural of “husk” — material consisting of seed coverings and small pieces of stem or leaves that have been separated from the seeds
From this reading Amidst the springing flowers, the twitter of pairing birds, and the bursting of green leaves through the brown, downy husks, in the bounteous April weather, Madelon began to recover rapidly.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading She was nursed with kindness and care, if not exactly with tenderness, by Soeur Lucie; but tenderness our little black sheep had long since learnt not to expect in the convent, and she hardly missed it now.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Amidst the springing flowers, the twitter of pairing birds, and the bursting of green leaves through the brown, downy husks, in the bounteous April weather, Madelon began to recover rapidly.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading It was in the first days of her convalescence that she heard of the death of her aunt Therese, through some chance remark of one of the Sisters who came into her cell.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading She was nursed with kindness and care, if not exactly with tenderness, by Soeur Lucie; but tenderness our little black sheep had long since learnt not to expect in the convent, and she hardly missed it now.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading Had it not been for this, they would have kept it from her longer; but the news scarcely affected her at all.
the quality of being warmhearted and considerate and humane and sympathetic
From this reading She was nursed with kindness and care, if not exactly with tenderness, by Soeur Lucie; but tenderness our little black sheep had long since learnt not to expect in the convent, and she hardly missed it now.
learntverbUS /lɜːrnt/
inflected form of “learn” — gain knowledge or skills
From this reading She was nursed with kindness and care, if not exactly with tenderness, by Soeur Lucie; but tenderness our little black sheep had long since learnt not to expect in the convent, and she hardly missed it now.
plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading Amidst the springing flowers, the twitter of pairing birds, and the bursting of green leaves through the brown, downy husks, in the bounteous April weather, Madelon began to recover rapidly.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading She was nursed with kindness and care, if not exactly with tenderness, by Soeur Lucie; but tenderness our little black sheep had long since learnt not to expect in the convent, and she hardly missed it now.
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 She was nursed with kindness and care, if not exactly with tenderness, by Soeur Lucie; but tenderness our little black sheep had long since learnt not to expect in the convent, and she hardly missed it now.
for more time
From this reading Had it not been for this, they would have kept it from her longer; but the news scarcely affected her at all.
Lucie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was nursed with kindness and care, if not exactly with tenderness, by Soeur Lucie; but tenderness our little black sheep had long since learnt not to expect in the convent, and she hardly missed it now.
Madelon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Madelon overhears a Conversation.
not caught with the senses or the mind
From this reading She was nursed with kindness and care, if not exactly with tenderness, by Soeur Lucie; but tenderness our little black sheep had long since learnt not to expect in the convent, and she hardly missed it now.
information about recent and important events
From this reading Had it not been for this, they would have kept it from her longer; but the news scarcely affected her at all.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She was nursed with kindness and care, if not exactly with tenderness, by Soeur Lucie; but tenderness our little black sheep had long since learnt not to expect in the convent, and she hardly missed it now.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading She was nursed with kindness and care, if not exactly with tenderness, by Soeur Lucie; but tenderness our little black sheep had long since learnt not to expect in the convent, and she hardly missed it now.
nursedadjectiveUS /nɜːrst/
(of an infant) breast-fed
From this reading She was nursed with kindness and care, if not exactly with tenderness, by Soeur Lucie; but tenderness our little black sheep had long since learnt not to expect in the convent, and she hardly missed it now.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Amidst the springing flowers, the twitter of pairing birds, and the bursting of green leaves through the brown, downy husks, in the bounteous April weather, Madelon began to recover rapidly.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It was in the first days of her convalescence that she heard of the death of her aunt Therese, through some chance remark of one of the Sisters who came into her cell.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading She was nursed with kindness and care, if not exactly with tenderness, by Soeur Lucie; but tenderness our little black sheep had long since learnt not to expect in the convent, and she hardly missed it now.
overhearsverbUS /ˈoʊvərˈhiːrz/
third-person singular of “overhear” — hear, usually without the knowledge of the speakers
From this reading Madelon overhears a Conversation.
pairingnounUS /ˈperɪŋ/
the act of pairing a male and female for reproductive purposes
From this reading Amidst the springing flowers, the twitter of pairing birds, and the bursting of green leaves through the brown, downy husks, in the bounteous April weather, Madelon began to recover rapidly.
with speed
From this reading Amidst the springing flowers, the twitter of pairing birds, and the bursting of green leaves through the brown, downy husks, in the bounteous April weather, Madelon began to recover rapidly.
recoververbUS /rɪˈkʌvər/
get or find back; recover the use of
From this reading Amidst the springing flowers, the twitter of pairing birds, and the bursting of green leaves through the brown, downy husks, in the bounteous April weather, Madelon began to recover rapidly.
a statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief or adds information
From this reading It was in the first days of her convalescence that she heard of the death of her aunt Therese, through some chance remark of one of the Sisters who came into her cell.
only a very short time before
From this reading Had it not been for this, they would have kept it from her longer; but the news scarcely affected her at all.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She was nursed with kindness and care, if not exactly with tenderness, by Soeur Lucie; but tenderness our little black sheep had long since learnt not to expect in the convent, and she hardly missed it now.
woolly usually horned ruminant mammal related to the goat
From this reading She was nursed with kindness and care, if not exactly with tenderness, by Soeur Lucie; but tenderness our little black sheep had long since learnt not to expect in the convent, and she hardly missed it now.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading She was nursed with kindness and care, if not exactly with tenderness, by Soeur Lucie; but tenderness our little black sheep had long since learnt not to expect in the convent, and she hardly missed it now.
plural of “sister” — a female person who has the same parents as another person
From this reading It was in the first days of her convalescence that she heard of the death of her aunt Therese, through some chance remark of one of the Sisters who came into her cell.
Soeur
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was nursed with kindness and care, if not exactly with tenderness, by Soeur Lucie; but tenderness our little black sheep had long since learnt not to expect in the convent, and she hardly missed it now.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading It was in the first days of her convalescence that she heard of the death of her aunt Therese, through some chance remark of one of the Sisters who came into her cell.
springingverbUS /ˈsprɪŋɪŋ/
-ing form of “spring” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading Amidst the springing flowers, the twitter of pairing birds, and the bursting of green leaves through the brown, downy husks, in the bounteous April weather, Madelon began to recover rapidly.
a tendency to express warm and affectionate feeling
From this reading She was nursed with kindness and care, if not exactly with tenderness, by Soeur Lucie; but tenderness our little black sheep had long since learnt not to expect in the convent, and she hardly missed it now.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was in the first days of her convalescence that she heard of the death of her aunt Therese, through some chance remark of one of the Sisters who came into her cell.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Amidst the springing flowers, the twitter of pairing birds, and the bursting of green leaves through the brown, downy husks, in the bounteous April weather, Madelon began to recover rapidly.
Therese
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was in the first days of her convalescence that she heard of the death of her aunt Therese, through some chance remark of one of the Sisters who came into her cell.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Had it not been for this, they would have kept it from her longer; but the news scarcely affected her at all.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Had it not been for this, they would have kept it from her longer; but the news scarcely affected her at all.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Amidst the springing flowers, the twitter of pairing birds, and the bursting of green leaves through the brown, downy husks, in the bounteous April weather, Madelon began to recover rapidly.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Amidst the springing flowers, the twitter of pairing birds, and the bursting of green leaves through the brown, downy husks, in the bounteous April weather, Madelon began to recover rapidly.
twitternounUS /ˈtwɪtər/
a series of chirps
From this reading Amidst the springing flowers, the twitter of pairing birds, and the bursting of green leaves through the brown, downy husks, in the bounteous April weather, Madelon began to recover rapidly.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She was nursed with kindness and care, if not exactly with tenderness, by Soeur Lucie; but tenderness our little black sheep had long since learnt not to expect in the convent, and she hardly missed it now.
the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation
From this reading Amidst the springing flowers, the twitter of pairing birds, and the bursting of green leaves through the brown, downy husks, in the bounteous April weather, Madelon began to recover rapidly.
which person or people
From this reading It was in the first days of her convalescence that she heard of the death of her aunt Therese, through some chance remark of one of the Sisters who came into her cell.
in the company of; together with
From this reading She was nursed with kindness and care, if not exactly with tenderness, by Soeur Lucie; but tenderness our little black sheep had long since learnt not to expect in the convent, and she hardly missed it now.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Had it not been for this, they would have kept it from her longer; but the news scarcely affected her at all.
