used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading They thought her a little strange at home that evening, but after a time Jack and Eileen vanished, and making a tremendous effort, she contrived to chatter to the aunties about her dispensing in a fairly brisk fashion.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading They thought her a little strange at home that evening, but after a time Jack and Eileen vanished, and making a tremendous effort, she contrived to chatter to the aunties about her dispensing in a fairly brisk fashion.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading They thought her a little strange at home that evening, but after a time Jack and Eileen vanished, and making a tremendous effort, she contrived to chatter to the aunties about her dispensing in a fairly brisk fashion.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading When she had had her cry out, she lay quite still and tried to think—tried to understand how it was that the question she had meant to settle once for all in the afternoon was more unsettled than ever.
(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 Eileen was sleeping with her mother, and Jack at the inn, so that she had his little room all to herself, and as soon as she was alone she flung herself down on the bed and burst into tears, overstrained nature finding no other mode of relief.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading Eileen was sleeping with her mother, and Jack at the inn, so that she had his little room all to herself, and as soon as she was alone she flung herself down on the bed and burst into tears, overstrained nature finding no other mode of relief.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading She did not, however, altogether blind them, and she was glad enough when the need ceased, and she could go to bed.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading They thought her a little strange at home that evening, but after a time Jack and Eileen vanished, and making a tremendous effort, she contrived to chatter to the aunties about her dispensing in a fairly brisk fashion.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Eileen was sleeping with her mother, and Jack at the inn, so that she had his little room all to herself, and as soon as she was alone she flung herself down on the bed and burst into tears, overstrained nature finding no other mode of relief.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading They thought her a little strange at home that evening, but after a time Jack and Eileen vanished, and making a tremendous effort, she contrived to chatter to the aunties about her dispensing in a fairly brisk fashion.
aunties
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They thought her a little strange at home that evening, but after a time Jack and Eileen vanished, and making a tremendous effort, she contrived to chatter to the aunties about her dispensing in a fairly brisk fashion.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading She did not, however, altogether blind them, and she was glad enough when the need ceased, and she could go to bed.
people who have severe visual impairments, considered as a group
From this reading She did not, however, altogether blind them, and she was glad enough when the need ceased, and she could go to bed.
briskadjectiveUS /brɪsk/
quick and energetic
From this reading They thought her a little strange at home that evening, but after a time Jack and Eileen vanished, and making a tremendous effort, she contrived to chatter to the aunties about her dispensing in a fairly brisk fashion.
come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure
From this reading Eileen was sleeping with her mother, and Jack at the inn, so that she had his little room all to herself, and as soon as she was alone she flung herself down on the bed and burst into tears, overstrained nature finding no other mode of relief.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading They thought her a little strange at home that evening, but after a time Jack and Eileen vanished, and making a tremendous effort, she contrived to chatter to the aunties about her dispensing in a fairly brisk fashion.
past form of “cease” — put an end to a state or an activity
From this reading She did not, however, altogether blind them, and she was glad enough when the need ceased, and she could go to bed.
chatterverbUS /ˈtʃætər/
click repeatedly or uncontrollably
From this reading They thought her a little strange at home that evening, but after a time Jack and Eileen vanished, and making a tremendous effort, she contrived to chatter to the aunties about her dispensing in a fairly brisk fashion.
contrivedadjectiveUS /kənˈtraɪvd/
showing effects of planning or manipulation
From this reading They thought her a little strange at home that evening, but after a time Jack and Eileen vanished, and making a tremendous effort, she contrived to chatter to the aunties about her dispensing in a fairly brisk fashion.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading She did not, however, altogether blind them, and she was glad enough when the need ceased, and she could go to bed.
utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading When she had had her cry out, she lay quite still and tried to think—tried to understand how it was that the question she had meant to settle once for all in the afternoon was more unsettled than ever.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading She did not, however, altogether blind them, and she was glad enough when the need ceased, and she could go to bed.
dispensingverbUS /dɪˈspensɪŋ/
-ing form of “dispense” — administer or bestow, as in small portions
From this reading They thought her a little strange at home that evening, but after a time Jack and Eileen vanished, and making a tremendous effort, she contrived to chatter to the aunties about her dispensing in a fairly brisk fashion.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Eileen was sleeping with her mother, and Jack at the inn, so that she had his little room all to herself, and as soon as she was alone she flung herself down on the bed and burst into tears, overstrained nature finding no other mode of relief.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading They thought her a little strange at home that evening, but after a time Jack and Eileen vanished, and making a tremendous effort, she contrived to chatter to the aunties about her dispensing in a fairly brisk fashion.
Eileen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They thought her a little strange at home that evening, but after a time Jack and Eileen vanished, and making a tremendous effort, she contrived to chatter to the aunties about her dispensing in a fairly brisk fashion.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading She did not, however, altogether blind them, and she was glad enough when the need ceased, and she could go to bed.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading They thought her a little strange at home that evening, but after a time Jack and Eileen vanished, and making a tremendous effort, she contrived to chatter to the aunties about her dispensing in a fairly brisk fashion.
at any time
From this reading When she had had her cry out, she lay quite still and tried to think—tried to understand how it was that the question she had meant to settle once for all in the afternoon was more unsettled than ever.
to certain extent or degree
From this reading They thought her a little strange at home that evening, but after a time Jack and Eileen vanished, and making a tremendous effort, she contrived to chatter to the aunties about her dispensing in a fairly brisk fashion.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading They thought her a little strange at home that evening, but after a time Jack and Eileen vanished, and making a tremendous effort, she contrived to chatter to the aunties about her dispensing in a fairly brisk fashion.
the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation
From this reading Eileen was sleeping with her mother, and Jack at the inn, so that she had his little room all to herself, and as soon as she was alone she flung herself down on the bed and burst into tears, overstrained nature finding no other mode of relief.
inflected form of “fling” — throw with force or recklessness
From this reading Eileen was sleeping with her mother, and Jack at the inn, so that she had his little room all to herself, and as soon as she was alone she flung herself down on the bed and burst into tears, overstrained nature finding no other mode of relief.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading When she had had her cry out, she lay quite still and tried to think—tried to understand how it was that the question she had meant to settle once for all in the afternoon was more unsettled than ever.
showing or causing joy and pleasure; especially made happy
From this reading She did not, however, altogether blind them, and she was glad enough when the need ceased, and she could go to bed.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading She did not, however, altogether blind them, and she was glad enough when the need ceased, and she could go to bed.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Eileen was sleeping with her mother, and Jack at the inn, so that she had his little room all to herself, and as soon as she was alone she flung herself down on the bed and burst into tears, overstrained nature finding no other mode of relief.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading They thought her a little strange at home that evening, but after a time Jack and Eileen vanished, and making a tremendous effort, she contrived to chatter to the aunties about her dispensing in a fairly brisk fashion.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading Eileen was sleeping with her mother, and Jack at the inn, so that she had his little room all to herself, and as soon as she was alone she flung herself down on the bed and burst into tears, overstrained nature finding no other mode of relief.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Eileen was sleeping with her mother, and Jack at the inn, so that she had his little room all to herself, and as soon as she was alone she flung herself down on the bed and burst into tears, overstrained nature finding no other mode of relief.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading They thought her a little strange at home that evening, but after a time Jack and Eileen vanished, and making a tremendous effort, she contrived to chatter to the aunties about her dispensing in a fairly brisk fashion.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When she had had her cry out, she lay quite still and tried to think—tried to understand how it was that the question she had meant to settle once for all in the afternoon was more unsettled than ever.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading She did not, however, altogether blind them, and she was glad enough when the need ceased, and she could go to bed.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading They thought her a little strange at home that evening, but after a time Jack and Eileen vanished, and making a tremendous effort, she contrived to chatter to the aunties about her dispensing in a fairly brisk fashion.
a hotel providing overnight lodging for travelers
From this reading Eileen was sleeping with her mother, and Jack at the inn, so that she had his little room all to herself, and as soon as she was alone she flung herself down on the bed and burst into tears, overstrained nature finding no other mode of relief.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Eileen was sleeping with her mother, and Jack at the inn, so that she had his little room all to herself, and as soon as she was alone she flung herself down on the bed and burst into tears, overstrained nature finding no other mode of relief.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading When she had had her cry out, she lay quite still and tried to think—tried to understand how it was that the question she had meant to settle once for all in the afternoon was more unsettled than ever.
a small worthless amount
From this reading They thought her a little strange at home that evening, but after a time Jack and Eileen vanished, and making a tremendous effort, she contrived to chatter to the aunties about her dispensing in a fairly brisk fashion.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading When she had had her cry out, she lay quite still and tried to think—tried to understand how it was that the question she had meant to settle once for all in the afternoon was more unsettled than ever.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading They thought her a little strange at home that evening, but after a time Jack and Eileen vanished, and making a tremendous effort, she contrived to chatter to the aunties about her dispensing in a fairly brisk fashion.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading They thought her a little strange at home that evening, but after a time Jack and Eileen vanished, and making a tremendous effort, she contrived to chatter to the aunties about her dispensing in a fairly brisk fashion.
inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading When she had had her cry out, she lay quite still and tried to think—tried to understand how it was that the question she had meant to settle once for all in the afternoon was more unsettled than ever.
modenounUS /moʊd/
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Eileen was sleeping with her mother, and Jack at the inn, so that she had his little room all to herself, and as soon as she was alone she flung herself down on the bed and burst into tears, overstrained nature finding no other mode of relief.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading When she had had her cry out, she lay quite still and tried to think—tried to understand how it was that the question she had meant to settle once for all in the afternoon was more unsettled than ever.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading Eileen was sleeping with her mother, and Jack at the inn, so that she had his little room all to herself, and as soon as she was alone she flung herself down on the bed and burst into tears, overstrained nature finding no other mode of relief.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading Eileen was sleeping with her mother, and Jack at the inn, so that she had his little room all to herself, and as soon as she was alone she flung herself down on the bed and burst into tears, overstrained nature finding no other mode of relief.
a condition requiring relief
From this reading She did not, however, altogether blind them, and she was glad enough when the need ceased, and she could go to bed.
not any; not one
From this reading Eileen was sleeping with her mother, and Jack at the inn, so that she had his little room all to herself, and as soon as she was alone she flung herself down on the bed and burst into tears, overstrained nature finding no other mode of relief.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She did not, however, altogether blind them, and she was glad enough when the need ceased, and she could go to bed.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Eileen was sleeping with her mother, and Jack at the inn, so that she had his little room all to herself, and as soon as she was alone she flung herself down on the bed and burst into tears, overstrained nature finding no other mode of relief.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Eileen was sleeping with her mother, and Jack at the inn, so that she had his little room all to herself, and as soon as she was alone she flung herself down on the bed and burst into tears, overstrained nature finding no other mode of relief.
on one occasion
From this reading When she had had her cry out, she lay quite still and tried to think—tried to understand how it was that the question she had meant to settle once for all in the afternoon was more unsettled than ever.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Eileen was sleeping with her mother, and Jack at the inn, so that she had his little room all to herself, and as soon as she was alone she flung herself down on the bed and burst into tears, overstrained nature finding no other mode of relief.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading When she had had her cry out, she lay quite still and tried to think—tried to understand how it was that the question she had meant to settle once for all in the afternoon was more unsettled than ever.
overstrained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Eileen was sleeping with her mother, and Jack at the inn, so that she had his little room all to herself, and as soon as she was alone she flung herself down on the bed and burst into tears, overstrained nature finding no other mode of relief.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading When she had had her cry out, she lay quite still and tried to think—tried to understand how it was that the question she had meant to settle once for all in the afternoon was more unsettled than ever.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading When she had had her cry out, she lay quite still and tried to think—tried to understand how it was that the question she had meant to settle once for all in the afternoon was more unsettled than ever.
the feeling that comes when something burdensome is removed or reduced
From this reading Eileen was sleeping with her mother, and Jack at the inn, so that she had his little room all to herself, and as soon as she was alone she flung herself down on the bed and burst into tears, overstrained nature finding no other mode of relief.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Eileen was sleeping with her mother, and Jack at the inn, so that she had his little room all to herself, and as soon as she was alone she flung herself down on the bed and burst into tears, overstrained nature finding no other mode of relief.
settle into a position, usually on a surface or ground
From this reading When she had had her cry out, she lay quite still and tried to think—tried to understand how it was that the question she had meant to settle once for all in the afternoon was more unsettled than ever.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They thought her a little strange at home that evening, but after a time Jack and Eileen vanished, and making a tremendous effort, she contrived to chatter to the aunties about her dispensing in a fairly brisk fashion.
the state of being asleep
From this reading Eileen was sleeping with her mother, and Jack at the inn, so that she had his little room all to herself, and as soon as she was alone she flung herself down on the bed and burst into tears, overstrained nature finding no other mode of relief.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Eileen was sleeping with her mother, and Jack at the inn, so that she had his little room all to herself, and as soon as she was alone she flung herself down on the bed and burst into tears, overstrained nature finding no other mode of relief.
in the near future
From this reading Eileen was sleeping with her mother, and Jack at the inn, so that she had his little room all to herself, and as soon as she was alone she flung herself down on the bed and burst into tears, overstrained nature finding no other mode of relief.
not in physical motion
From this reading When she had had her cry out, she lay quite still and tried to think—tried to understand how it was that the question she had meant to settle once for all in the afternoon was more unsettled than ever.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading They thought her a little strange at home that evening, but after a time Jack and Eileen vanished, and making a tremendous effort, she contrived to chatter to the aunties about her dispensing in a fairly brisk fashion.
the process of shedding tears (usually accompanied by sobs or other inarticulate sounds)
From this reading Eileen was sleeping with her mother, and Jack at the inn, so that she had his little room all to herself, and as soon as she was alone she flung herself down on the bed and burst into tears, overstrained nature finding no other mode of relief.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading When she had had her cry out, she lay quite still and tried to think—tried to understand how it was that the question she had meant to settle once for all in the afternoon was more unsettled than ever.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading They thought her a little strange at home that evening, but after a time Jack and Eileen vanished, and making a tremendous effort, she contrived to chatter to the aunties about her dispensing in a fairly brisk fashion.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading They thought her a little strange at home that evening, but after a time Jack and Eileen vanished, and making a tremendous effort, she contrived to chatter to the aunties about her dispensing in a fairly brisk fashion.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading She did not, however, altogether blind them, and she was glad enough when the need ceased, and she could go to bed.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They thought her a little strange at home that evening, but after a time Jack and Eileen vanished, and making a tremendous effort, she contrived to chatter to the aunties about her dispensing in a fairly brisk fashion.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading When she had had her cry out, she lay quite still and tried to think—tried to understand how it was that the question she had meant to settle once for all in the afternoon was more unsettled than ever.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading They thought her a little strange at home that evening, but after a time Jack and Eileen vanished, and making a tremendous effort, she contrived to chatter to the aunties about her dispensing in a fairly brisk fashion.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading They thought her a little strange at home that evening, but after a time Jack and Eileen vanished, and making a tremendous effort, she contrived to chatter to the aunties about her dispensing in a fairly brisk fashion.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading They thought her a little strange at home that evening, but after a time Jack and Eileen vanished, and making a tremendous effort, she contrived to chatter to the aunties about her dispensing in a fairly brisk fashion.
extraordinarily large in size or extent or amount or power or degree
From this reading They thought her a little strange at home that evening, but after a time Jack and Eileen vanished, and making a tremendous effort, she contrived to chatter to the aunties about her dispensing in a fairly brisk fashion.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading When she had had her cry out, she lay quite still and tried to think—tried to understand how it was that the question she had meant to settle once for all in the afternoon was more unsettled than ever.
know and comprehend the nature or meaning of
From this reading When she had had her cry out, she lay quite still and tried to think—tried to understand how it was that the question she had meant to settle once for all in the afternoon was more unsettled than ever.
unsettledadjectiveUS /ənˈsetəld/
still in doubt
From this reading When she had had her cry out, she lay quite still and tried to think—tried to understand how it was that the question she had meant to settle once for all in the afternoon was more unsettled than ever.
having passed out of existence
From this reading They thought her a little strange at home that evening, but after a time Jack and Eileen vanished, and making a tremendous effort, she contrived to chatter to the aunties about her dispensing in a fairly brisk fashion.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She did not, however, altogether blind them, and she was glad enough when the need ceased, and she could go to bed.
at the time that
From this reading She did not, however, altogether blind them, and she was glad enough when the need ceased, and she could go to bed.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading Why was it more unsettled?
in the company of; together with
From this reading Eileen was sleeping with her mother, and Jack at the inn, so that she had his little room all to herself, and as soon as she was alone she flung herself down on the bed and burst into tears, overstrained nature finding no other mode of relief.
