adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading She did her best, during the hours spent here, to convert herself into the literary machine which it was her hope would some day be invented for construction in a less sensitive material than human tissue.
acquaintedadjectiveUS /əˈkweɪntɪd/
having fair knowledge of
From this reading Several readers were acquainted with the chief facts of her position; they knew that her father was now incapable of work, and was waiting till his diseased eyes should be ready for the operator; it was surmised, moreover, that a good deal depended upon the girl’s literary exertions.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Yet she herself was occasionally an object of interested regard.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Her eyes seldom strayed beyond the limits of the desk; and if she had occasion to rise and go to the reference shelves, she looked at no one on the way.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Marian was at work as usual in the Reading-room.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Marian was at work as usual in the Reading-room.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading She did her best, during the hours spent here, to convert herself into the literary machine which it was her hope would some day be invented for construction in a less sensitive material than human tissue.
bestnounUS /best/
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading She did her best, during the hours spent here, to convert herself into the literary machine which it was her hope would some day be invented for construction in a less sensitive material than human tissue.
beyondprepositionUS /bɪˈɑːnd/
on the far side of; further than
From this reading Her eyes seldom strayed beyond the limits of the desk; and if she had occasion to rise and go to the reference shelves, she looked at no one on the way.
chiefnounUS /tʃiːf/
a person who is in charge
From this reading Several readers were acquainted with the chief facts of her position; they knew that her father was now incapable of work, and was waiting till his diseased eyes should be ready for the operator; it was surmised, moreover, that a good deal depended upon the girl’s literary exertions.
constructionnounUS /kənˈstrʌkʃən/
the act of constructing something
From this reading She did her best, during the hours spent here, to convert herself into the literary machine which it was her hope would some day be invented for construction in a less sensitive material than human tissue.
convertverbUS /ˈkɑːnvərt/
change from one system to another or to a new plan or policy
From this reading She did her best, during the hours spent here, to convert herself into the literary machine which it was her hope would some day be invented for construction in a less sensitive material than human tissue.
daynounUS /deɪ/
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading She did her best, during the hours spent here, to convert herself into the literary machine which it was her hope would some day be invented for construction in a less sensitive material than human tissue.
dealverbUS /diːl/
act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
From this reading Several readers were acquainted with the chief facts of her position; they knew that her father was now incapable of work, and was waiting till his diseased eyes should be ready for the operator; it was surmised, moreover, that a good deal depended upon the girl’s literary exertions.
dependedverbUS /dɪˈpendəd/
past form of “depend” — be contingent upon (something that is elided)
From this reading Several readers were acquainted with the chief facts of her position; they knew that her father was now incapable of work, and was waiting till his diseased eyes should be ready for the operator; it was surmised, moreover, that a good deal depended upon the girl’s literary exertions.
desknounUS /desk/
a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments
From this reading Her eyes seldom strayed beyond the limits of the desk; and if she had occasion to rise and go to the reference shelves, she looked at no one on the way.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading She did her best, during the hours spent here, to convert herself into the literary machine which it was her hope would some day be invented for construction in a less sensitive material than human tissue.
diseasedadjectiveUS /dɪˈziːzd/
caused by or altered by or manifesting disease or pathology
From this reading Several readers were acquainted with the chief facts of her position; they knew that her father was now incapable of work, and was waiting till his diseased eyes should be ready for the operator; it was surmised, moreover, that a good deal depended upon the girl’s literary exertions.
duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading She did her best, during the hours spent here, to convert herself into the literary machine which it was her hope would some day be invented for construction in a less sensitive material than human tissue.
exertionsnounUS /ɪɡˈzɜːrʃənz/
plural of “exertion” — use of physical or mental energy; hard work
From this reading Several readers were acquainted with the chief facts of her position; they knew that her father was now incapable of work, and was waiting till his diseased eyes should be ready for the operator; it was surmised, moreover, that a good deal depended upon the girl’s literary exertions.
eyesnounUS /aɪz/
opinion or judgment
From this reading Her eyes seldom strayed beyond the limits of the desk; and if she had occasion to rise and go to the reference shelves, she looked at no one on the way.
factsnounUS /fækts/
plural of “fact” — a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading Several readers were acquainted with the chief facts of her position; they knew that her father was now incapable of work, and was waiting till his diseased eyes should be ready for the operator; it was surmised, moreover, that a good deal depended upon the girl’s literary exertions.
fathernounUS /ˈfɑːðər/
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading Several readers were acquainted with the chief facts of her position; they knew that her father was now incapable of work, and was waiting till his diseased eyes should be ready for the operator; it was surmised, moreover, that a good deal depended upon the girl’s literary exertions.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading She did her best, during the hours spent here, to convert herself into the literary machine which it was her hope would some day be invented for construction in a less sensitive material than human tissue.
girl'snounUS /ɡɜːrlz/
possessive form of “girl” — a young female
From this reading Several readers were acquainted with the chief facts of her position; they knew that her father was now incapable of work, and was waiting till his diseased eyes should be ready for the operator; it was surmised, moreover, that a good deal depended upon the girl’s literary exertions.
goverbUS /ɡoʊ/
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Her eyes seldom strayed beyond the limits of the desk; and if she had occasion to rise and go to the reference shelves, she looked at no one on the way.
goodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading Several readers were acquainted with the chief facts of her position; they knew that her father was now incapable of work, and was waiting till his diseased eyes should be ready for the operator; it was surmised, moreover, that a good deal depended upon the girl’s literary exertions.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Her eyes seldom strayed beyond the limits of the desk; and if she had occasion to rise and go to the reference shelves, she looked at no one on the way.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She did her best, during the hours spent here, to convert herself into the literary machine which it was her hope would some day be invented for construction in a less sensitive material than human tissue.
hereadverbUS /hiːr/
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading She did her best, during the hours spent here, to convert herself into the literary machine which it was her hope would some day be invented for construction in a less sensitive material than human tissue.
herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading She did her best, during the hours spent here, to convert herself into the literary machine which it was her hope would some day be invented for construction in a less sensitive material than human tissue.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Several readers were acquainted with the chief facts of her position; they knew that her father was now incapable of work, and was waiting till his diseased eyes should be ready for the operator; it was surmised, moreover, that a good deal depended upon the girl’s literary exertions.
hopenounUS /hoʊp/
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading She did her best, during the hours spent here, to convert herself into the literary machine which it was her hope would some day be invented for construction in a less sensitive material than human tissue.
hoursnounUS /ˈaʊərz/
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading She did her best, during the hours spent here, to convert herself into the literary machine which it was her hope would some day be invented for construction in a less sensitive material than human tissue.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading She did her best, during the hours spent here, to convert herself into the literary machine which it was her hope would some day be invented for construction in a less sensitive material than human tissue.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Her eyes seldom strayed beyond the limits of the desk; and if she had occasion to rise and go to the reference shelves, she looked at no one on the way.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Marian was at work as usual in the Reading-room.
incapableadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈkeɪpəbəl/
(followed by “of”) lacking capacity or ability
From this reading Several readers were acquainted with the chief facts of her position; they knew that her father was now incapable of work, and was waiting till his diseased eyes should be ready for the operator; it was surmised, moreover, that a good deal depended upon the girl’s literary exertions.
interestedadjectiveUS /ˈɪntrəstɪd/
having or showing interest; especially curiosity or fascination or concern
From this reading Yet she herself was occasionally an object of interested regard.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading She did her best, during the hours spent here, to convert herself into the literary machine which it was her hope would some day be invented for construction in a less sensitive material than human tissue.
inventedverbUS /ˌɪnˈventəd/
past form of “invent” — come up with (an idea, plan, explanation, theory, or principle) after a mental effort
From this reading She did her best, during the hours spent here, to convert herself into the literary machine which it was her hope would some day be invented for construction in a less sensitive material than human tissue.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading She did her best, during the hours spent here, to convert herself into the literary machine which it was her hope would some day be invented for construction in a less sensitive material than human tissue.
knewverbUS /nuː/
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Several readers were acquainted with the chief facts of her position; they knew that her father was now incapable of work, and was waiting till his diseased eyes should be ready for the operator; it was surmised, moreover, that a good deal depended upon the girl’s literary exertions.
lessadverbUS /les/
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading She did her best, during the hours spent here, to convert herself into the literary machine which it was her hope would some day be invented for construction in a less sensitive material than human tissue.
limitsnounUS /ˈlɪməts/
plural of “limit” — the greatest possible degree of something
From this reading Her eyes seldom strayed beyond the limits of the desk; and if she had occasion to rise and go to the reference shelves, she looked at no one on the way.
literaryadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəreri/
of or relating to or characteristic of literature
From this reading She did her best, during the hours spent here, to convert herself into the literary machine which it was her hope would some day be invented for construction in a less sensitive material than human tissue.
lookedverbUS /lʊkt/
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Her eyes seldom strayed beyond the limits of the desk; and if she had occasion to rise and go to the reference shelves, she looked at no one on the way.
machinenounUS /məˈʃiːn/
any mechanical or electrical device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the performance of human tasks
From this reading She did her best, during the hours spent here, to convert herself into the literary machine which it was her hope would some day be invented for construction in a less sensitive material than human tissue.
MarianadjectiveUS /ˈmeriən/
of or relating to or venerating the Virgin Mary
From this reading Marian was at work as usual in the Reading-room.
materialadjectiveUS /məˈtɪriəl/
concerned with worldly rather than spiritual interests
From this reading She did her best, during the hours spent here, to convert herself into the literary machine which it was her hope would some day be invented for construction in a less sensitive material than human tissue.
moreoveradverbUS /mɔːˈroʊvər/
in addition to what has just been said
From this reading Several readers were acquainted with the chief facts of her position; they knew that her father was now incapable of work, and was waiting till his diseased eyes should be ready for the operator; it was surmised, moreover, that a good deal depended upon the girl’s literary exertions.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading Her eyes seldom strayed beyond the limits of the desk; and if she had occasion to rise and go to the reference shelves, she looked at no one on the way.
nowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Several readers were acquainted with the chief facts of her position; they knew that her father was now incapable of work, and was waiting till his diseased eyes should be ready for the operator; it was surmised, moreover, that a good deal depended upon the girl’s literary exertions.
objectnounUS /ˈɑːbdʒekt/
a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow
From this reading Yet she herself was occasionally an object of interested regard.
occasionnounUS /əˈkeɪʒən/
an event that occurs at a critical time
From this reading Her eyes seldom strayed beyond the limits of the desk; and if she had occasion to rise and go to the reference shelves, she looked at no one on the way.
occasionallyadverbUS /əˈkeɪʒənəli/
sporadically and infrequently
From this reading Yet she herself was occasionally an object of interested regard.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Her eyes seldom strayed beyond the limits of the desk; and if she had occasion to rise and go to the reference shelves, she looked at no one on the way.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Her eyes seldom strayed beyond the limits of the desk; and if she had occasion to rise and go to the reference shelves, she looked at no one on the way.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Her eyes seldom strayed beyond the limits of the desk; and if she had occasion to rise and go to the reference shelves, she looked at no one on the way.
operatornounUS /ˈɑːpəreɪtər/
(mathematics) a symbol or function representing a mathematical operation
From this reading Several readers were acquainted with the chief facts of her position; they knew that her father was now incapable of work, and was waiting till his diseased eyes should be ready for the operator; it was surmised, moreover, that a good deal depended upon the girl’s literary exertions.
positionnounUS /pəˈzɪʃən/
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading Several readers were acquainted with the chief facts of her position; they knew that her father was now incapable of work, and was waiting till his diseased eyes should be ready for the operator; it was surmised, moreover, that a good deal depended upon the girl’s literary exertions.
readersnounUS /ˈriːdərz/
plural of “reader” — a person who enjoys reading
From this reading Several readers were acquainted with the chief facts of her position; they knew that her father was now incapable of work, and was waiting till his diseased eyes should be ready for the operator; it was surmised, moreover, that a good deal depended upon the girl’s literary exertions.
Reading-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marian was at work as usual in the Reading-room.
readyadjectiveUS /ˈredi/
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading Several readers were acquainted with the chief facts of her position; they knew that her father was now incapable of work, and was waiting till his diseased eyes should be ready for the operator; it was surmised, moreover, that a good deal depended upon the girl’s literary exertions.
referencenounUS /ˈrefərəns/
a remark that calls attention to something or someone
From this reading Her eyes seldom strayed beyond the limits of the desk; and if she had occasion to rise and go to the reference shelves, she looked at no one on the way.
regardnounUS /rɪˈɡɑːrd/
(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point
From this reading Yet she herself was occasionally an object of interested regard.
riseverbUS /raɪz/
move upward
From this reading Her eyes seldom strayed beyond the limits of the desk; and if she had occasion to rise and go to the reference shelves, she looked at no one on the way.
seldomadverbUS /ˈseldəm/
not often
From this reading Her eyes seldom strayed beyond the limits of the desk; and if she had occasion to rise and go to the reference shelves, she looked at no one on the way.
sensitiveadjectiveUS /ˈsensətɪv/
responsive to physical stimuli
From this reading She did her best, during the hours spent here, to convert herself into the literary machine which it was her hope would some day be invented for construction in a less sensitive material than human tissue.
SeveraladjectiveUS /ˈsevrəl/
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading Several readers were acquainted with the chief facts of her position; they knew that her father was now incapable of work, and was waiting till his diseased eyes should be ready for the operator; it was surmised, moreover, that a good deal depended upon the girl’s literary exertions.
ShepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She did her best, during the hours spent here, to convert herself into the literary machine which it was her hope would some day be invented for construction in a less sensitive material than human tissue.
shelvesnounUS /ʃelvz/
Plural of shelf; the vast wooden or stone structures holding archives.
From this reading Her eyes seldom strayed beyond the limits of the desk; and if she had occasion to rise and go to the reference shelves, she looked at no one on the way.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Several readers were acquainted with the chief facts of her position; they knew that her father was now incapable of work, and was waiting till his diseased eyes should be ready for the operator; it was surmised, moreover, that a good deal depended upon the girl’s literary exertions.
someadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading She did her best, during the hours spent here, to convert herself into the literary machine which it was her hope would some day be invented for construction in a less sensitive material than human tissue.
spentadjectiveUS /spent/
depleted of energy, force, or strength
From this reading She did her best, during the hours spent here, to convert herself into the literary machine which it was her hope would some day be invented for construction in a less sensitive material than human tissue.
strayedverbUS /streɪd/
past form of “stray” — move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
From this reading Her eyes seldom strayed beyond the limits of the desk; and if she had occasion to rise and go to the reference shelves, she looked at no one on the way.
surmisedverbUS /sərˈmaɪzd/
past form of “surmise” — infer from incomplete evidence
From this reading Several readers were acquainted with the chief facts of her position; they knew that her father was now incapable of work, and was waiting till his diseased eyes should be ready for the operator; it was surmised, moreover, that a good deal depended upon the girl’s literary exertions.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading She did her best, during the hours spent here, to convert herself into the literary machine which it was her hope would some day be invented for construction in a less sensitive material than human tissue.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Several readers were acquainted with the chief facts of her position; they knew that her father was now incapable of work, and was waiting till his diseased eyes should be ready for the operator; it was surmised, moreover, that a good deal depended upon the girl’s literary exertions.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Marian was at work as usual in the Reading-room.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Several readers were acquainted with the chief facts of her position; they knew that her father was now incapable of work, and was waiting till his diseased eyes should be ready for the operator; it was surmised, moreover, that a good deal depended upon the girl’s literary exertions.
tillprepositionUS /tɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Several readers were acquainted with the chief facts of her position; they knew that her father was now incapable of work, and was waiting till his diseased eyes should be ready for the operator; it was surmised, moreover, that a good deal depended upon the girl’s literary exertions.
tissuenounUS /ˈtɪsjuː/
part of an organism consisting of an aggregate of cells having a similar structure and function
From this reading She did her best, during the hours spent here, to convert herself into the literary machine which it was her hope would some day be invented for construction in a less sensitive material than human tissue.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She did her best, during the hours spent here, to convert herself into the literary machine which it was her hope would some day be invented for construction in a less sensitive material than human tissue.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Several readers were acquainted with the chief facts of her position; they knew that her father was now incapable of work, and was waiting till his diseased eyes should be ready for the operator; it was surmised, moreover, that a good deal depended upon the girl’s literary exertions.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading Marian was at work as usual in the Reading-room.
waitingnounUS /ˈweɪtɪŋ/
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading Several readers were acquainted with the chief facts of her position; they knew that her father was now incapable of work, and was waiting till his diseased eyes should be ready for the operator; it was surmised, moreover, that a good deal depended upon the girl’s literary exertions.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Marian was at work as usual in the Reading-room.
waynounUS /weɪ/
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Her eyes seldom strayed beyond the limits of the desk; and if she had occasion to rise and go to the reference shelves, she looked at no one on the way.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Several readers were acquainted with the chief facts of her position; they knew that her father was now incapable of work, and was waiting till his diseased eyes should be ready for the operator; it was surmised, moreover, that a good deal depended upon the girl’s literary exertions.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading She did her best, during the hours spent here, to convert herself into the literary machine which it was her hope would some day be invented for construction in a less sensitive material than human tissue.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Several readers were acquainted with the chief facts of her position; they knew that her father was now incapable of work, and was waiting till his diseased eyes should be ready for the operator; it was surmised, moreover, that a good deal depended upon the girl’s literary exertions.
workverbUS /wɜːrk/
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading Marian was at work as usual in the Reading-room.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading She did her best, during the hours spent here, to convert herself into the literary machine which it was her hope would some day be invented for construction in a less sensitive material than human tissue.
YetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading Yet she herself was occasionally an object of interested regard.
