Chapter XXVIII · Chapter 28

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading Midnight was long past, and yet Olive sat at her desk; she had finished her note to Mrs. Gwynne, and was poring over a small packet of letters carefully separated from the remainder of her correspondence.

plural of “absence” — the state of being absent

From this reading They were letters which at intervals during his various absences she had received from Harold Gwynne.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading Often had she read them over--so often, that, many a time waking in the night, whole sentences came distinctly on her memory, vivid almost as a spoken voice.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading Midnight was long past, and yet Olive sat at her desk; she had finished her note to Mrs. Gwynne, and was poring over a small packet of letters carefully separated from the remainder of her correspondence.

react verbally

From this reading If she had been asked the reason of this, perhaps she would have made answer that they were unlike the rest--solemn in character, and secret withal.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading She never looked at them but her expression changed; when she touched them she did it softly and tremulously, as one would touch a living sacred thing.

past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading If she had been asked the reason of this, perhaps she would have made answer that they were unlike the rest--solemn in character, and secret withal.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Midnight was long past, and yet Olive sat at her desk; she had finished her note to Mrs. Gwynne, and was poring over a small packet of letters carefully separated from the remainder of her correspondence.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading If she had been asked the reason of this, perhaps she would have made answer that they were unlike the rest--solemn in character, and secret withal.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading She never looked at them but her expression changed; when she touched them she did it softly and tremulously, as one would touch a living sacred thing.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Often had she read them over--so often, that, many a time waking in the night, whole sentences came distinctly on her memory, vivid almost as a spoken voice.

taking care or paying attention

From this reading Midnight was long past, and yet Olive sat at her desk; she had finished her note to Mrs. Gwynne, and was poring over a small packet of letters carefully separated from the remainder of her correspondence.

made or become different in nature or form

From this reading She never looked at them but her expression changed; when she touched them she did it softly and tremulously, as one would touch a living sacred thing.

an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)

From this reading If she had been asked the reason of this, perhaps she would have made answer that they were unlike the rest--solemn in character, and secret withal.

communication by the exchange of letters

From this reading Midnight was long past, and yet Olive sat at her desk; she had finished her note to Mrs. Gwynne, and was poring over a small packet of letters carefully separated from the remainder of her correspondence.

a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments

From this reading Midnight was long past, and yet Olive sat at her desk; she had finished her note to Mrs. Gwynne, and was poring over a small packet of letters carefully separated from the remainder of her correspondence.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading She never looked at them but her expression changed; when she touched them she did it softly and tremulously, as one would touch a living sacred thing.

clear to the mind; with distinct mental discernment

From this reading Often had she read them over--so often, that, many a time waking in the night, whole sentences came distinctly on her memory, vivid almost as a spoken voice.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading They were letters which at intervals during his various absences she had received from Harold Gwynne.

the feelings expressed on a person's face

From this reading She never looked at them but her expression changed; when she touched them she did it softly and tremulously, as one would touch a living sacred thing.

(of materials or goods) brought to the desired final state

From this reading Midnight was long past, and yet Olive sat at her desk; she had finished her note to Mrs. Gwynne, and was poring over a small packet of letters carefully separated from the remainder of her correspondence.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Midnight was long past, and yet Olive sat at her desk; she had finished her note to Mrs. Gwynne, and was poring over a small packet of letters carefully separated from the remainder of her correspondence.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Midnight was long past, and yet Olive sat at her desk; she had finished her note to Mrs. Gwynne, and was poring over a small packet of letters carefully separated from the remainder of her correspondence.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading Midnight was long past, and yet Olive sat at her desk; she had finished her note to Mrs. Gwynne, and was poring over a small packet of letters carefully separated from the remainder of her correspondence.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading They were letters which at intervals during his various absences she had received from Harold Gwynne.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading If she had been asked the reason of this, perhaps she would have made answer that they were unlike the rest--solemn in character, and secret withal.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading Midnight was long past, and yet Olive sat at her desk; she had finished her note to Mrs. Gwynne, and was poring over a small packet of letters carefully separated from the remainder of her correspondence.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading They were letters which at intervals during his various absences she had received from Harold Gwynne.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If she had been asked the reason of this, perhaps she would have made answer that they were unlike the rest--solemn in character, and secret withal.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading If she had been asked the reason of this, perhaps she would have made answer that they were unlike the rest--solemn in character, and secret withal.

plural of “interval” — a definite length of time marked off by two instants

From this reading They were letters which at intervals during his various absences she had received from Harold Gwynne.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading She never looked at them but her expression changed; when she touched them she did it softly and tremulously, as one would touch a living sacred thing.

the literary culture

From this reading Midnight was long past, and yet Olive sat at her desk; she had finished her note to Mrs. Gwynne, and was poring over a small packet of letters carefully separated from the remainder of her correspondence.

the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities

From this reading She never looked at them but her expression changed; when she touched them she did it softly and tremulously, as one would touch a living sacred thing.

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 Midnight was long past, and yet Olive sat at her desk; she had finished her note to Mrs. Gwynne, and was poring over a small packet of letters carefully separated from the remainder of her correspondence.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading She never looked at them but her expression changed; when she touched them she did it softly and tremulously, as one would touch a living sacred thing.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading If she had been asked the reason of this, perhaps she would have made answer that they were unlike the rest--solemn in character, and secret withal.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading Often had she read them over--so often, that, many a time waking in the night, whole sentences came distinctly on her memory, vivid almost as a spoken voice.

The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.

From this reading Often had she read them over--so often, that, many a time waking in the night, whole sentences came distinctly on her memory, vivid almost as a spoken voice.

12 o'clock at night; the middle of the night

From this reading Midnight was long past, and yet Olive sat at her desk; she had finished her note to Mrs. Gwynne, and was poring over a small packet of letters carefully separated from the remainder of her correspondence.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading Midnight was long past, and yet Olive sat at her desk; she had finished her note to Mrs. Gwynne, and was poring over a small packet of letters carefully separated from the remainder of her correspondence.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading She never looked at them but her expression changed; when she touched them she did it softly and tremulously, as one would touch a living sacred thing.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading Often had she read them over--so often, that, many a time waking in the night, whole sentences came distinctly on her memory, vivid almost as a spoken voice.

a brief written record

From this reading Midnight was long past, and yet Olive sat at her desk; she had finished her note to Mrs. Gwynne, and was poring over a small packet of letters carefully separated from the remainder of her correspondence.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Midnight was long past, and yet Olive sat at her desk; she had finished her note to Mrs. Gwynne, and was poring over a small packet of letters carefully separated from the remainder of her correspondence.

many times at short intervals

From this reading Often had she read them over--so often, that, many a time waking in the night, whole sentences came distinctly on her memory, vivid almost as a spoken voice.

of a yellow-green color similar to that of an unripe olive

From this reading Midnight was long past, and yet Olive sat at her desk; she had finished her note to Mrs. Gwynne, and was poring over a small packet of letters carefully separated from the remainder of her correspondence.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Often had she read them over--so often, that, many a time waking in the night, whole sentences came distinctly on her memory, vivid almost as a spoken voice.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading She never looked at them but her expression changed; when she touched them she did it softly and tremulously, as one would touch a living sacred thing.

above and across; more than

From this reading Midnight was long past, and yet Olive sat at her desk; she had finished her note to Mrs. Gwynne, and was poring over a small packet of letters carefully separated from the remainder of her correspondence.

a collection of things wrapped or boxed together

From this reading Midnight was long past, and yet Olive sat at her desk; she had finished her note to Mrs. Gwynne, and was poring over a small packet of letters carefully separated from the remainder of her correspondence.

the time that has elapsed

From this reading Midnight was long past, and yet Olive sat at her desk; she had finished her note to Mrs. Gwynne, and was poring over a small packet of letters carefully separated from the remainder of her correspondence.

by chance

From this reading If she had been asked the reason of this, perhaps she would have made answer that they were unlike the rest--solemn in character, and secret withal.

-ing form of “pore” — direct one's attention on something

From this reading Midnight was long past, and yet Olive sat at her desk; she had finished her note to Mrs. Gwynne, and was poring over a small packet of letters carefully separated from the remainder of her correspondence.

interpret something that is written or printed

From this reading Often had she read them over--so often, that, many a time waking in the night, whole sentences came distinctly on her memory, vivid almost as a spoken voice.

a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading If she had been asked the reason of this, perhaps she would have made answer that they were unlike the rest--solemn in character, and secret withal.

conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers

From this reading They were letters which at intervals during his various absences she had received from Harold Gwynne.

something left after other parts have been taken away

From this reading Midnight was long past, and yet Olive sat at her desk; she had finished her note to Mrs. Gwynne, and was poring over a small packet of letters carefully separated from the remainder of her correspondence.

not move; be in a resting position

From this reading If she had been asked the reason of this, perhaps she would have made answer that they were unlike the rest--solemn in character, and secret withal.

concerned with religion or religious purposes

From this reading She never looked at them but her expression changed; when she touched them she did it softly and tremulously, as one would touch a living sacred thing.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading Midnight was long past, and yet Olive sat at her desk; she had finished her note to Mrs. Gwynne, and was poring over a small packet of letters carefully separated from the remainder of her correspondence.

Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.

From this reading If she had been asked the reason of this, perhaps she would have made answer that they were unlike the rest--solemn in character, and secret withal.

plural of “sentence” — a string of words satisfying the grammatical rules of a language

From this reading Often had she read them over--so often, that, many a time waking in the night, whole sentences came distinctly on her memory, vivid almost as a spoken voice.

being or feeling set or kept apart from others

From this reading Midnight was long past, and yet Olive sat at her desk; she had finished her note to Mrs. Gwynne, and was poring over a small packet of letters carefully separated from the remainder of her correspondence.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Midnight was long past, and yet Olive sat at her desk; she had finished her note to Mrs. Gwynne, and was poring over a small packet of letters carefully separated from the remainder of her correspondence.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Midnight was long past, and yet Olive sat at her desk; she had finished her note to Mrs. Gwynne, and was poring over a small packet of letters carefully separated from the remainder of her correspondence.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Often had she read them over--so often, that, many a time waking in the night, whole sentences came distinctly on her memory, vivid almost as a spoken voice.

with low volume

From this reading She never looked at them but her expression changed; when she touched them she did it softly and tremulously, as one would touch a living sacred thing.

dignified and somber in manner or character and committed to keeping promises

From this reading If she had been asked the reason of this, perhaps she would have made answer that they were unlike the rest--solemn in character, and secret withal.

uttered through the medium of speech or characterized by speech; sometimes used in combination

From this reading Often had she read them over--so often, that, many a time waking in the night, whole sentences came distinctly on her memory, vivid almost as a spoken voice.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading If she had been asked the reason of this, perhaps she would have made answer that they were unlike the rest--solemn in character, and secret withal.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading Midnight was long past, and yet Olive sat at her desk; she had finished her note to Mrs. Gwynne, and was poring over a small packet of letters carefully separated from the remainder of her correspondence.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading She never looked at them but her expression changed; when she touched them she did it softly and tremulously, as one would touch a living sacred thing.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading If she had been asked the reason of this, perhaps she would have made answer that they were unlike the rest--solemn in character, and secret withal.

a special situation

From this reading She never looked at them but her expression changed; when she touched them she did it softly and tremulously, as one would touch a living sacred thing.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading If she had been asked the reason of this, perhaps she would have made answer that they were unlike the rest--solemn in character, and secret withal.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Often had she read them over--so often, that, many a time waking in the night, whole sentences came distinctly on her memory, vivid almost as a spoken voice.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading Midnight was long past, and yet Olive sat at her desk; she had finished her note to Mrs. Gwynne, and was poring over a small packet of letters carefully separated from the remainder of her correspondence.

make physical contact with, come in contact with

From this reading She never looked at them but her expression changed; when she touched them she did it softly and tremulously, as one would touch a living sacred thing.

having come into contact

From this reading She never looked at them but her expression changed; when she touched them she did it softly and tremulously, as one would touch a living sacred thing.

in a tremulous manner

From this reading She never looked at them but her expression changed; when she touched them she did it softly and tremulously, as one would touch a living sacred thing.

marked by dissimilarity

From this reading If she had been asked the reason of this, perhaps she would have made answer that they were unlike the rest--solemn in character, and secret withal.

of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity

From this reading They were letters which at intervals during his various absences she had received from Harold Gwynne.

evoking lifelike images within the mind

From this reading Often had she read them over--so often, that, many a time waking in the night, whole sentences came distinctly on her memory, vivid almost as a spoken voice.

the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading Often had she read them over--so often, that, many a time waking in the night, whole sentences came distinctly on her memory, vivid almost as a spoken voice.

Risen from sleep; conscious.

From this reading Often had she read them over--so often, that, many a time waking in the night, whole sentences came distinctly on her memory, vivid almost as a spoken voice.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Midnight was long past, and yet Olive sat at her desk; she had finished her note to Mrs. Gwynne, and was poring over a small packet of letters carefully separated from the remainder of her correspondence.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading If she had been asked the reason of this, perhaps she would have made answer that they were unlike the rest--solemn in character, and secret withal.

at the time that

From this reading She never looked at them but her expression changed; when she touched them she did it softly and tremulously, as one would touch a living sacred thing.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading They were letters which at intervals during his various absences she had received from Harold Gwynne.

including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete

From this reading Often had she read them over--so often, that, many a time waking in the night, whole sentences came distinctly on her memory, vivid almost as a spoken voice.

despite anything to the contrary (usually preceding a concession)

From this reading If she had been asked the reason of this, perhaps she would have made answer that they were unlike the rest--solemn in character, and secret withal.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading If she had been asked the reason of this, perhaps she would have made answer that they were unlike the rest--solemn in character, and secret withal.

but in spite of that

From this reading Midnight was long past, and yet Olive sat at her desk; she had finished her note to Mrs. Gwynne, and was poring over a small packet of letters carefully separated from the remainder of her correspondence.