acknowledgedadjectiveUS /ækˈnɑːlɪdʒd/
recognized or made known or admitted
From this reading At first Maria Metz did not seem too well pleased with the child's persistent naming of Barbara Eby as Mother Bab; but gradually, as she saw Phœbe's joy in the adoption, the woman acknowledged to herself that another woman was capable of mothering where she had failed.
adoptedadjectiveUS /əˈdɑːptɪd/
acquired as your own by free choice
From this reading "WHERE THE BROOK AND RIVER MEET" WHEN Phœbe adopted Mother Bab she did so with the whole-heartedness and finality characteristic of her blood.
adoptionnounUS /əˈdɑːpʃən/
the act of accepting with approval; favorable reception
From this reading At first Maria Metz did not seem too well pleased with the child's persistent naming of Barbara Eby as Mother Bab; but gradually, as she saw Phœbe's joy in the adoption, the woman acknowledged to herself that another woman was capable of mothering where she had failed.
a positive feeling of liking
From this reading Mother Bab--the name never ceased to thrill the erstwhile motherless girl whose yearning for affection and understanding had been unsatisfied by the matter-of-fact Aunt Maria.
(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 But there remained one knot to be untangled--she could not understand why the plain dress and white cap existed, she could not reconcile the utter simplicity of dress with the lavish beauty of the birds, flowers--all nature.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "WHERE THE BROOK AND RIVER MEET" WHEN Phœbe adopted Mother Bab she did so with the whole-heartedness and finality characteristic of her blood.
anewadverbUS /əˈnuː/
again but in a new or different way
From this reading Phœbe spent many hours in the little house on the hill, learning from Mother Bab many things that made indelible impressions upon her sensitive child-heart, unraveling some of the tangled knots of her soul, stirring anew hopes and aspirations of her being.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading At first Maria Metz did not seem too well pleased with the child's persistent naming of Barbara Eby as Mother Bab; but gradually, as she saw Phœbe's joy in the adoption, the woman acknowledged to herself that another woman was capable of mothering where she had failed.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading At first Maria Metz did not seem too well pleased with the child's persistent naming of Barbara Eby as Mother Bab; but gradually, as she saw Phœbe's joy in the adoption, the woman acknowledged to herself that another woman was capable of mothering where she had failed.
aspirationsnounUS /ˌæspərˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “aspiration” — a will to succeed
From this reading Phœbe spent many hours in the little house on the hill, learning from Mother Bab many things that made indelible impressions upon her sensitive child-heart, unraveling some of the tangled knots of her soul, stirring anew hopes and aspirations of her being.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At first Maria Metz did not seem too well pleased with the child's persistent naming of Barbara Eby as Mother Bab; but gradually, as she saw Phœbe's joy in the adoption, the woman acknowledged to herself that another woman was capable of mothering where she had failed.
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading Mother Bab--the name never ceased to thrill the erstwhile motherless girl whose yearning for affection and understanding had been unsatisfied by the matter-of-fact Aunt Maria.
Bab
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "WHERE THE BROOK AND RIVER MEET" WHEN Phœbe adopted Mother Bab she did so with the whole-heartedness and finality characteristic of her blood.
Barbara
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first Maria Metz did not seem too well pleased with the child's persistent naming of Barbara Eby as Mother Bab; but gradually, as she saw Phœbe's joy in the adoption, the woman acknowledged to herself that another woman was capable of mothering where she had failed.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading But there remained one knot to be untangled--she could not understand why the plain dress and white cap existed, she could not reconcile the utter simplicity of dress with the lavish beauty of the birds, flowers--all nature.
the qualities that give pleasure to the senses
From this reading But there remained one knot to be untangled--she could not understand why the plain dress and white cap existed, she could not reconcile the utter simplicity of dress with the lavish beauty of the birds, flowers--all nature.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Mother Bab--the name never ceased to thrill the erstwhile motherless girl whose yearning for affection and understanding had been unsatisfied by the matter-of-fact Aunt Maria.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Phœbe spent many hours in the little house on the hill, learning from Mother Bab many things that made indelible impressions upon her sensitive child-heart, unraveling some of the tangled knots of her soul, stirring anew hopes and aspirations of her being.
plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading But there remained one knot to be untangled--she could not understand why the plain dress and white cap existed, she could not reconcile the utter simplicity of dress with the lavish beauty of the birds, flowers--all nature.
The red fluid that circulates in the heart and blood vessels.
From this reading "WHERE THE BROOK AND RIVER MEET" WHEN Phœbe adopted Mother Bab she did so with the whole-heartedness and finality characteristic of her blood.
BROOKnounUS /brʊk/
a natural stream of water smaller than a river (and often a tributary of a river)
From this reading "WHERE THE BROOK AND RIVER MEET" WHEN Phœbe adopted Mother Bab she did so with the whole-heartedness and finality characteristic of her blood.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading At first Maria Metz did not seem too well pleased with the child's persistent naming of Barbara Eby as Mother Bab; but gradually, as she saw Phœbe's joy in the adoption, the woman acknowledged to herself that another woman was capable of mothering where she had failed.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Mother Bab--the name never ceased to thrill the erstwhile motherless girl whose yearning for affection and understanding had been unsatisfied by the matter-of-fact Aunt Maria.
a tight-fitting headdress
From this reading But there remained one knot to be untangled--she could not understand why the plain dress and white cap existed, she could not reconcile the utter simplicity of dress with the lavish beauty of the birds, flowers--all nature.
(usually followed by “of”) having capacity or ability
From this reading At first Maria Metz did not seem too well pleased with the child's persistent naming of Barbara Eby as Mother Bab; but gradually, as she saw Phœbe's joy in the adoption, the woman acknowledged to herself that another woman was capable of mothering where she had failed.
past form of “cease” — put an end to a state or an activity
From this reading Mother Bab--the name never ceased to thrill the erstwhile motherless girl whose yearning for affection and understanding had been unsatisfied by the matter-of-fact Aunt Maria.
characteristicnounUS /ˌkerəktərˈɪstɪk/
a prominent attribute or aspect of something
From this reading "WHERE THE BROOK AND RIVER MEET" WHEN Phœbe adopted Mother Bab she did so with the whole-heartedness and finality characteristic of her blood.
child'snounUS /tʃaɪldz/
possessive form of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading At first Maria Metz did not seem too well pleased with the child's persistent naming of Barbara Eby as Mother Bab; but gradually, as she saw Phœbe's joy in the adoption, the woman acknowledged to herself that another woman was capable of mothering where she had failed.
child-heart
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Phœbe spent many hours in the little house on the hill, learning from Mother Bab many things that made indelible impressions upon her sensitive child-heart, unraveling some of the tangled knots of her soul, stirring anew hopes and aspirations of her being.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading But there remained one knot to be untangled--she could not understand why the plain dress and white cap existed, she could not reconcile the utter simplicity of dress with the lavish beauty of the birds, flowers--all nature.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading "WHERE THE BROOK AND RIVER MEET" WHEN Phœbe adopted Mother Bab she did so with the whole-heartedness and finality characteristic of her blood.
put on clothes
From this reading But there remained one knot to be untangled--she could not understand why the plain dress and white cap existed, she could not reconcile the utter simplicity of dress with the lavish beauty of the birds, flowers--all nature.
Eby
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first Maria Metz did not seem too well pleased with the child's persistent naming of Barbara Eby as Mother Bab; but gradually, as she saw Phœbe's joy in the adoption, the woman acknowledged to herself that another woman was capable of mothering where she had failed.
erstwhileadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrstwaɪl/
belonging to some prior time
From this reading Mother Bab--the name never ceased to thrill the erstwhile motherless girl whose yearning for affection and understanding had been unsatisfied by the matter-of-fact Aunt Maria.
existedverbUS /ɪɡˈzɪstəd/
past form of “exist” — have an existence, be extant
From this reading But there remained one knot to be untangled--she could not understand why the plain dress and white cap existed, she could not reconcile the utter simplicity of dress with the lavish beauty of the birds, flowers--all nature.
past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading At first Maria Metz did not seem too well pleased with the child's persistent naming of Barbara Eby as Mother Bab; but gradually, as she saw Phœbe's joy in the adoption, the woman acknowledged to herself that another woman was capable of mothering where she had failed.
finalitynounUS /faɪˈnæləti/
the quality of being final or definitely settled
From this reading "WHERE THE BROOK AND RIVER MEET" WHEN Phœbe adopted Mother Bab she did so with the whole-heartedness and finality characteristic of her blood.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading At first Maria Metz did not seem too well pleased with the child's persistent naming of Barbara Eby as Mother Bab; but gradually, as she saw Phœbe's joy in the adoption, the woman acknowledged to herself that another woman was capable of mothering where she had failed.
plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms
From this reading But there remained one knot to be untangled--she could not understand why the plain dress and white cap existed, she could not reconcile the utter simplicity of dress with the lavish beauty of the birds, flowers--all nature.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Mother Bab--the name never ceased to thrill the erstwhile motherless girl whose yearning for affection and understanding had been unsatisfied by the matter-of-fact Aunt Maria.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Phœbe spent many hours in the little house on the hill, learning from Mother Bab many things that made indelible impressions upon her sensitive child-heart, unraveling some of the tangled knots of her soul, stirring anew hopes and aspirations of her being.
a young female
From this reading Mother Bab--the name never ceased to thrill the erstwhile motherless girl whose yearning for affection and understanding had been unsatisfied by the matter-of-fact Aunt Maria.
in a gradual manner
From this reading At first Maria Metz did not seem too well pleased with the child's persistent naming of Barbara Eby as Mother Bab; but gradually, as she saw Phœbe's joy in the adoption, the woman acknowledged to herself that another woman was capable of mothering where she had failed.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Mother Bab--the name never ceased to thrill the erstwhile motherless girl whose yearning for affection and understanding had been unsatisfied by the matter-of-fact Aunt Maria.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading "WHERE THE BROOK AND RIVER MEET" WHEN Phœbe adopted Mother Bab she did so with the whole-heartedness and finality characteristic of her blood.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading At first Maria Metz did not seem too well pleased with the child's persistent naming of Barbara Eby as Mother Bab; but gradually, as she saw Phœbe's joy in the adoption, the woman acknowledged to herself that another woman was capable of mothering where she had failed.
a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading Phœbe spent many hours in the little house on the hill, learning from Mother Bab many things that made indelible impressions upon her sensitive child-heart, unraveling some of the tangled knots of her soul, stirring anew hopes and aspirations of her being.
plural of “hope” — a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading Phœbe spent many hours in the little house on the hill, learning from Mother Bab many things that made indelible impressions upon her sensitive child-heart, unraveling some of the tangled knots of her soul, stirring anew hopes and aspirations of her being.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading Phœbe spent many hours in the little house on the hill, learning from Mother Bab many things that made indelible impressions upon her sensitive child-heart, unraveling some of the tangled knots of her soul, stirring anew hopes and aspirations of her being.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Phœbe spent many hours in the little house on the hill, learning from Mother Bab many things that made indelible impressions upon her sensitive child-heart, unraveling some of the tangled knots of her soul, stirring anew hopes and aspirations of her being.
impressionsnounUS /ˌɪmˈpreʃənz/
plural of “impression” — a vague idea in which some confidence is placed
From this reading Phœbe spent many hours in the little house on the hill, learning from Mother Bab many things that made indelible impressions upon her sensitive child-heart, unraveling some of the tangled knots of her soul, stirring anew hopes and aspirations of her being.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading At first Maria Metz did not seem too well pleased with the child's persistent naming of Barbara Eby as Mother Bab; but gradually, as she saw Phœbe's joy in the adoption, the woman acknowledged to herself that another woman was capable of mothering where she had failed.
indelibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈdelɪbəl/
cannot be removed or erased
From this reading Phœbe spent many hours in the little house on the hill, learning from Mother Bab many things that made indelible impressions upon her sensitive child-heart, unraveling some of the tangled knots of her soul, stirring anew hopes and aspirations of her being.
the emotion of great happiness
From this reading At first Maria Metz did not seem too well pleased with the child's persistent naming of Barbara Eby as Mother Bab; but gradually, as she saw Phœbe's joy in the adoption, the woman acknowledged to herself that another woman was capable of mothering where she had failed.
knotnounUS /nɑːt/
a tight cluster of people or things
From this reading But there remained one knot to be untangled--she could not understand why the plain dress and white cap existed, she could not reconcile the utter simplicity of dress with the lavish beauty of the birds, flowers--all nature.
knotsnounUS /nɑːts/
plural of “knot” — a tight cluster of people or things
From this reading Phœbe spent many hours in the little house on the hill, learning from Mother Bab many things that made indelible impressions upon her sensitive child-heart, unraveling some of the tangled knots of her soul, stirring anew hopes and aspirations of her being.
lavishadjectiveUS /ˈlævɪʃ/
very generous
From this reading But there remained one knot to be untangled--she could not understand why the plain dress and white cap existed, she could not reconcile the utter simplicity of dress with the lavish beauty of the birds, flowers--all nature.
the cognitive process of acquiring skill or knowledge
From this reading Phœbe spent many hours in the little house on the hill, learning from Mother Bab many things that made indelible impressions upon her sensitive child-heart, unraveling some of the tangled knots of her soul, stirring anew hopes and aspirations of her being.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Phœbe spent many hours in the little house on the hill, learning from Mother Bab many things that made indelible impressions upon her sensitive child-heart, unraveling some of the tangled knots of her soul, stirring anew hopes and aspirations of her being.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Phœbe spent many hours in the little house on the hill, learning from Mother Bab many things that made indelible impressions upon her sensitive child-heart, unraveling some of the tangled knots of her soul, stirring anew hopes and aspirations of her being.
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 Phœbe spent many hours in the little house on the hill, learning from Mother Bab many things that made indelible impressions upon her sensitive child-heart, unraveling some of the tangled knots of her soul, stirring anew hopes and aspirations of her being.
MarianounUS /mərˈiːə/
a dark region of considerable extent on the surface of the moon
From this reading Mother Bab--the name never ceased to thrill the erstwhile motherless girl whose yearning for affection and understanding had been unsatisfied by the matter-of-fact Aunt Maria.
matter-of-factadjective
not fanciful or imaginative
From this reading Mother Bab--the name never ceased to thrill the erstwhile motherless girl whose yearning for affection and understanding had been unsatisfied by the matter-of-fact Aunt Maria.
come together
From this reading "WHERE THE BROOK AND RIVER MEET" WHEN Phœbe adopted Mother Bab she did so with the whole-heartedness and finality characteristic of her blood.
Metz
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first Maria Metz did not seem too well pleased with the child's persistent naming of Barbara Eby as Mother Bab; but gradually, as she saw Phœbe's joy in the adoption, the woman acknowledged to herself that another woman was capable of mothering where she had failed.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading "WHERE THE BROOK AND RIVER MEET" WHEN Phœbe adopted Mother Bab she did so with the whole-heartedness and finality characteristic of her blood.
motheringverbUS /ˈmʌðərɪŋ/
-ing form of “mother” — care for like a mother
From this reading At first Maria Metz did not seem too well pleased with the child's persistent naming of Barbara Eby as Mother Bab; but gradually, as she saw Phœbe's joy in the adoption, the woman acknowledged to herself that another woman was capable of mothering where she had failed.
motherlessadjectiveUS /ˈmʌðərlɪs/
having no living or known mother
From this reading Mother Bab--the name never ceased to thrill the erstwhile motherless girl whose yearning for affection and understanding had been unsatisfied by the matter-of-fact Aunt Maria.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading Mother Bab--the name never ceased to thrill the erstwhile motherless girl whose yearning for affection and understanding had been unsatisfied by the matter-of-fact Aunt Maria.
namingnounUS /ˈneɪmɪŋ/
the verbal act of naming
From this reading At first Maria Metz did not seem too well pleased with the child's persistent naming of Barbara Eby as Mother Bab; but gradually, as she saw Phœbe's joy in the adoption, the woman acknowledged to herself that another woman was capable of mothering where she had failed.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading But there remained one knot to be untangled--she could not understand why the plain dress and white cap existed, she could not reconcile the utter simplicity of dress with the lavish beauty of the birds, flowers--all nature.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Mother Bab--the name never ceased to thrill the erstwhile motherless girl whose yearning for affection and understanding had been unsatisfied by the matter-of-fact Aunt Maria.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading At first Maria Metz did not seem too well pleased with the child's persistent naming of Barbara Eby as Mother Bab; but gradually, as she saw Phœbe's joy in the adoption, the woman acknowledged to herself that another woman was capable of mothering where she had failed.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "WHERE THE BROOK AND RIVER MEET" WHEN Phœbe adopted Mother Bab she did so with the whole-heartedness and finality characteristic of her blood.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Phœbe spent many hours in the little house on the hill, learning from Mother Bab many things that made indelible impressions upon her sensitive child-heart, unraveling some of the tangled knots of her soul, stirring anew hopes and aspirations of her being.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading But there remained one knot to be untangled--she could not understand why the plain dress and white cap existed, she could not reconcile the utter simplicity of dress with the lavish beauty of the birds, flowers--all nature.
persistentadjectiveUS /pərˈsɪstənt/
never-ceasing
From this reading At first Maria Metz did not seem too well pleased with the child's persistent naming of Barbara Eby as Mother Bab; but gradually, as she saw Phœbe's joy in the adoption, the woman acknowledged to herself that another woman was capable of mothering where she had failed.
Phœbe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "WHERE THE BROOK AND RIVER MEET" WHEN Phœbe adopted Mother Bab she did so with the whole-heartedness and finality characteristic of her blood.
Phœbe's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first Maria Metz did not seem too well pleased with the child's persistent naming of Barbara Eby as Mother Bab; but gradually, as she saw Phœbe's joy in the adoption, the woman acknowledged to herself that another woman was capable of mothering where she had failed.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading But there remained one knot to be untangled--she could not understand why the plain dress and white cap existed, she could not reconcile the utter simplicity of dress with the lavish beauty of the birds, flowers--all nature.
experiencing or manifesting pleasure
From this reading At first Maria Metz did not seem too well pleased with the child's persistent naming of Barbara Eby as Mother Bab; but gradually, as she saw Phœbe's joy in the adoption, the woman acknowledged to herself that another woman was capable of mothering where she had failed.
reconcileverbUS /ˈrekənsaɪl/
make (one thing) compatible with
From this reading But there remained one knot to be untangled--she could not understand why the plain dress and white cap existed, she could not reconcile the utter simplicity of dress with the lavish beauty of the birds, flowers--all nature.
past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading But there remained one knot to be untangled--she could not understand why the plain dress and white cap existed, she could not reconcile the utter simplicity of dress with the lavish beauty of the birds, flowers--all nature.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading "WHERE THE BROOK AND RIVER MEET" WHEN Phœbe adopted Mother Bab she did so with the whole-heartedness and finality characteristic of her blood.
cut with a saw
From this reading At first Maria Metz did not seem too well pleased with the child's persistent naming of Barbara Eby as Mother Bab; but gradually, as she saw Phœbe's joy in the adoption, the woman acknowledged to herself that another woman was capable of mothering where she had failed.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading At first Maria Metz did not seem too well pleased with the child's persistent naming of Barbara Eby as Mother Bab; but gradually, as she saw Phœbe's joy in the adoption, the woman acknowledged to herself that another woman was capable of mothering where she had failed.
sensitiveadjectiveUS /ˈsensətɪv/
responsive to physical stimuli
From this reading Phœbe spent many hours in the little house on the hill, learning from Mother Bab many things that made indelible impressions upon her sensitive child-heart, unraveling some of the tangled knots of her soul, stirring anew hopes and aspirations of her being.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "WHERE THE BROOK AND RIVER MEET" WHEN Phœbe adopted Mother Bab she did so with the whole-heartedness and finality characteristic of her blood.
simplicitynounUS /sɪmˈplɪsəti/
the quality of being simple or uncompounded
From this reading But there remained one knot to be untangled--she could not understand why the plain dress and white cap existed, she could not reconcile the utter simplicity of dress with the lavish beauty of the birds, flowers--all nature.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading "WHERE THE BROOK AND RIVER MEET" WHEN Phœbe adopted Mother Bab she did so with the whole-heartedness and finality characteristic of her blood.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Phœbe spent many hours in the little house on the hill, learning from Mother Bab many things that made indelible impressions upon her sensitive child-heart, unraveling some of the tangled knots of her soul, stirring anew hopes and aspirations of her being.
the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life
From this reading Phœbe spent many hours in the little house on the hill, learning from Mother Bab many things that made indelible impressions upon her sensitive child-heart, unraveling some of the tangled knots of her soul, stirring anew hopes and aspirations of her being.
depleted of energy, force, or strength
From this reading Phœbe spent many hours in the little house on the hill, learning from Mother Bab many things that made indelible impressions upon her sensitive child-heart, unraveling some of the tangled knots of her soul, stirring anew hopes and aspirations of her being.
stirringnounUS /ˈstɜːrɪŋ/
agitating a liquid with an implement
From this reading Phœbe spent many hours in the little house on the hill, learning from Mother Bab many things that made indelible impressions upon her sensitive child-heart, unraveling some of the tangled knots of her soul, stirring anew hopes and aspirations of her being.
tangledadjectiveUS /ˈtæŋɡəld/
in a confused mass
From this reading Phœbe spent many hours in the little house on the hill, learning from Mother Bab many things that made indelible impressions upon her sensitive child-heart, unraveling some of the tangled knots of her soul, stirring anew hopes and aspirations of her being.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading At first Maria Metz did not seem too well pleased with the child's persistent naming of Barbara Eby as Mother Bab; but gradually, as she saw Phœbe's joy in the adoption, the woman acknowledged to herself that another woman was capable of mothering where she had failed.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "WHERE THE BROOK AND RIVER MEET" WHEN Phœbe adopted Mother Bab she did so with the whole-heartedness and finality characteristic of her blood.
in or at that place or location
From this reading But there remained one knot to be untangled--she could not understand why the plain dress and white cap existed, she could not reconcile the utter simplicity of dress with the lavish beauty of the birds, flowers--all nature.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading Phœbe spent many hours in the little house on the hill, learning from Mother Bab many things that made indelible impressions upon her sensitive child-heart, unraveling some of the tangled knots of her soul, stirring anew hopes and aspirations of her being.
thrillnounUS /θrɪl/
the swift release of a store of affective force
From this reading Mother Bab--the name never ceased to thrill the erstwhile motherless girl whose yearning for affection and understanding had been unsatisfied by the matter-of-fact Aunt Maria.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Mother Bab--the name never ceased to thrill the erstwhile motherless girl whose yearning for affection and understanding had been unsatisfied by the matter-of-fact Aunt Maria.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading At first Maria Metz did not seem too well pleased with the child's persistent naming of Barbara Eby as Mother Bab; but gradually, as she saw Phœbe's joy in the adoption, the woman acknowledged to herself that another woman was capable of mothering where she had failed.
know and comprehend the nature or meaning of
From this reading But there remained one knot to be untangled--she could not understand why the plain dress and white cap existed, she could not reconcile the utter simplicity of dress with the lavish beauty of the birds, flowers--all nature.
the cognitive condition of someone who understands
From this reading Mother Bab--the name never ceased to thrill the erstwhile motherless girl whose yearning for affection and understanding had been unsatisfied by the matter-of-fact Aunt Maria.
unravelingverbUS /ənˈrævəlɪŋ/
-ing form of “unravel” — become or cause to become undone by separating the fibers or threads of
From this reading Phœbe spent many hours in the little house on the hill, learning from Mother Bab many things that made indelible impressions upon her sensitive child-heart, unraveling some of the tangled knots of her soul, stirring anew hopes and aspirations of her being.
unsatisfiedadjectiveUS /ənˈsætɪsfaɪd/
not having been satisfied
From this reading Mother Bab--the name never ceased to thrill the erstwhile motherless girl whose yearning for affection and understanding had been unsatisfied by the matter-of-fact Aunt Maria.
untangledadjective
not tangled
From this reading But there remained one knot to be untangled--she could not understand why the plain dress and white cap existed, she could not reconcile the utter simplicity of dress with the lavish beauty of the birds, flowers--all nature.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Phœbe spent many hours in the little house on the hill, learning from Mother Bab many things that made indelible impressions upon her sensitive child-heart, unraveling some of the tangled knots of her soul, stirring anew hopes and aspirations of her being.
articulate; either verbally or with a cry, shout, or noise
From this reading But there remained one knot to be untangled--she could not understand why the plain dress and white cap existed, she could not reconcile the utter simplicity of dress with the lavish beauty of the birds, flowers--all nature.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading At first Maria Metz did not seem too well pleased with the child's persistent naming of Barbara Eby as Mother Bab; but gradually, as she saw Phœbe's joy in the adoption, the woman acknowledged to herself that another woman was capable of mothering where she had failed.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading At first Maria Metz did not seem too well pleased with the child's persistent naming of Barbara Eby as Mother Bab; but gradually, as she saw Phœbe's joy in the adoption, the woman acknowledged to herself that another woman was capable of mothering where she had failed.
at the time that
From this reading "WHERE THE BROOK AND RIVER MEET" WHEN Phœbe adopted Mother Bab she did so with the whole-heartedness and finality characteristic of her blood.
in or at the place that
From this reading "WHERE THE BROOK AND RIVER MEET" WHEN Phœbe adopted Mother Bab she did so with the whole-heartedness and finality characteristic of her blood.
a Caucasian
From this reading But there remained one knot to be untangled--she could not understand why the plain dress and white cap existed, she could not reconcile the utter simplicity of dress with the lavish beauty of the birds, flowers--all nature.
whole-heartedness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "WHERE THE BROOK AND RIVER MEET" WHEN Phœbe adopted Mother Bab she did so with the whole-heartedness and finality characteristic of her blood.
belonging to which person
From this reading Mother Bab--the name never ceased to thrill the erstwhile motherless girl whose yearning for affection and understanding had been unsatisfied by the matter-of-fact Aunt Maria.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading But there remained one knot to be untangled--she could not understand why the plain dress and white cap existed, she could not reconcile the utter simplicity of dress with the lavish beauty of the birds, flowers--all nature.
in the company of; together with
From this reading "WHERE THE BROOK AND RIVER MEET" WHEN Phœbe adopted Mother Bab she did so with the whole-heartedness and finality characteristic of her blood.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading At first Maria Metz did not seem too well pleased with the child's persistent naming of Barbara Eby as Mother Bab; but gradually, as she saw Phœbe's joy in the adoption, the woman acknowledged to herself that another woman was capable of mothering where she had failed.
yearningnounUS /ˈjɜːrnɪŋ/
prolonged unfulfilled desire or need
From this reading Mother Bab--the name never ceased to thrill the erstwhile motherless girl whose yearning for affection and understanding had been unsatisfied by the matter-of-fact Aunt Maria.
