Chapter XXII

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

From this reading Two days' nursing at the hands of these charming girls made me almost well, and fit for service.

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

From this reading ERNESTINE AND GABRIELLE.

having life or vigor or spirit

From this reading There was something sufficiently pleasing, and perplexing too, in being thus placed between two such beautiful young women--one with dark hair and large orient eyes; the other, with mild blue orbs and soft bright curls; both animated, laughing, brilliant, and full of wit and vivacity.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading The contusion on my head no longer gave me any pain; the scar closed, and grew hourly less under the soothing application of some essence or lotion which they applied to it; and they were both so kind as to bring their work--for they were very industrious--into my room, where they sat, one on each side of my bed, and sewed, embroidered, read, or chatted with me.

the act of bringing something to bear; using it for a particular purpose

From this reading The contusion on my head no longer gave me any pain; the scar closed, and grew hourly less under the soothing application of some essence or lotion which they applied to it; and they were both so kind as to bring their work--for they were very industrious--into my room, where they sat, one on each side of my bed, and sewed, embroidered, read, or chatted with me.

concerned with concrete problems or data rather than with fundamental principles

From this reading The contusion on my head no longer gave me any pain; the scar closed, and grew hourly less under the soothing application of some essence or lotion which they applied to it; and they were both so kind as to bring their work--for they were very industrious--into my room, where they sat, one on each side of my bed, and sewed, embroidered, read, or chatted with me.

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

From this reading The contusion on my head no longer gave me any pain; the scar closed, and grew hourly less under the soothing application of some essence or lotion which they applied to it; and they were both so kind as to bring their work--for they were very industrious--into my room, where they sat, one on each side of my bed, and sewed, embroidered, read, or chatted with me.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Two days' nursing at the hands of these charming girls made me almost well, and fit for service.

delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration

From this reading There was something sufficiently pleasing, and perplexing too, in being thus placed between two such beautiful young women--one with dark hair and large orient eyes; the other, with mild blue orbs and soft bright curls; both animated, laughing, brilliant, and full of wit and vivacity.

a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep

From this reading The contusion on my head no longer gave me any pain; the scar closed, and grew hourly less under the soothing application of some essence or lotion which they applied to it; and they were both so kind as to bring their work--for they were very industrious--into my room, where they sat, one on each side of my bed, and sewed, embroidered, read, or chatted with me.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading There was something sufficiently pleasing, and perplexing too, in being thus placed between two such beautiful young women--one with dark hair and large orient eyes; the other, with mild blue orbs and soft bright curls; both animated, laughing, brilliant, and full of wit and vivacity.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading There was something sufficiently pleasing, and perplexing too, in being thus placed between two such beautiful young women--one with dark hair and large orient eyes; the other, with mild blue orbs and soft bright curls; both animated, laughing, brilliant, and full of wit and vivacity.

of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky

From this reading There was something sufficiently pleasing, and perplexing too, in being thus placed between two such beautiful young women--one with dark hair and large orient eyes; the other, with mild blue orbs and soft bright curls; both animated, laughing, brilliant, and full of wit and vivacity.

the two together, not just one

From this reading The contusion on my head no longer gave me any pain; the scar closed, and grew hourly less under the soothing application of some essence or lotion which they applied to it; and they were both so kind as to bring their work--for they were very industrious--into my room, where they sat, one on each side of my bed, and sewed, embroidered, read, or chatted with me.

emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts

From this reading There was something sufficiently pleasing, and perplexing too, in being thus placed between two such beautiful young women--one with dark hair and large orient eyes; the other, with mild blue orbs and soft bright curls; both animated, laughing, brilliant, and full of wit and vivacity.

of surpassing excellence

From this reading There was something sufficiently pleasing, and perplexing too, in being thus placed between two such beautiful young women--one with dark hair and large orient eyes; the other, with mild blue orbs and soft bright curls; both animated, laughing, brilliant, and full of wit and vivacity.

take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading The contusion on my head no longer gave me any pain; the scar closed, and grew hourly less under the soothing application of some essence or lotion which they applied to it; and they were both so kind as to bring their work--for they were very industrious--into my room, where they sat, one on each side of my bed, and sewed, embroidered, read, or chatted with me.

pleasing or delighting

From this reading Two days' nursing at the hands of these charming girls made me almost well, and fit for service.

inflected form of “chat” — talk socially without exchanging too much information

From this reading The contusion on my head no longer gave me any pain; the scar closed, and grew hourly less under the soothing application of some essence or lotion which they applied to it; and they were both so kind as to bring their work--for they were very industrious--into my room, where they sat, one on each side of my bed, and sewed, embroidered, read, or chatted with me.

not open or affording passage or access

From this reading The contusion on my head no longer gave me any pain; the scar closed, and grew hourly less under the soothing application of some essence or lotion which they applied to it; and they were both so kind as to bring their work--for they were very industrious--into my room, where they sat, one on each side of my bed, and sewed, embroidered, read, or chatted with me.

an injury that doesn't break the skin but results in some discoloration

From this reading The contusion on my head no longer gave me any pain; the scar closed, and grew hourly less under the soothing application of some essence or lotion which they applied to it; and they were both so kind as to bring their work--for they were very industrious--into my room, where they sat, one on each side of my bed, and sewed, embroidered, read, or chatted with me.

plural of “curl” — a round shape formed by a series of concentric circles (as formed by leaves or flower petals)

From this reading There was something sufficiently pleasing, and perplexing too, in being thus placed between two such beautiful young women--one with dark hair and large orient eyes; the other, with mild blue orbs and soft bright curls; both animated, laughing, brilliant, and full of wit and vivacity.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading There was something sufficiently pleasing, and perplexing too, in being thus placed between two such beautiful young women--one with dark hair and large orient eyes; the other, with mild blue orbs and soft bright curls; both animated, laughing, brilliant, and full of wit and vivacity.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading Two days' nursing at the hands of these charming girls made me almost well, and fit for service.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading The contusion on my head no longer gave me any pain; the scar closed, and grew hourly less under the soothing application of some essence or lotion which they applied to it; and they were both so kind as to bring their work--for they were very industrious--into my room, where they sat, one on each side of my bed, and sewed, embroidered, read, or chatted with me.

past form of “embroider” — decorate with needlework

From this reading The contusion on my head no longer gave me any pain; the scar closed, and grew hourly less under the soothing application of some essence or lotion which they applied to it; and they were both so kind as to bring their work--for they were very industrious--into my room, where they sat, one on each side of my bed, and sewed, embroidered, read, or chatted with me.

causing envy

From this reading To say the least of it, my position was very enviable.

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

From this reading ERNESTINE AND GABRIELLE.

the choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience

From this reading The contusion on my head no longer gave me any pain; the scar closed, and grew hourly less under the soothing application of some essence or lotion which they applied to it; and they were both so kind as to bring their work--for they were very industrious--into my room, where they sat, one on each side of my bed, and sewed, embroidered, read, or chatted with me.

opinion or judgment

From this reading There was something sufficiently pleasing, and perplexing too, in being thus placed between two such beautiful young women--one with dark hair and large orient eyes; the other, with mild blue orbs and soft bright curls; both animated, laughing, brilliant, and full of wit and vivacity.

be agreeable or acceptable to

From this reading Two days' nursing at the hands of these charming girls made me almost well, and fit for service.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Two days' nursing at the hands of these charming girls made me almost well, and fit for service.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading There was something sufficiently pleasing, and perplexing too, in being thus placed between two such beautiful young women--one with dark hair and large orient eyes; the other, with mild blue orbs and soft bright curls; both animated, laughing, brilliant, and full of wit and vivacity.

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

From this reading ERNESTINE AND GABRIELLE.

inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading The contusion on my head no longer gave me any pain; the scar closed, and grew hourly less under the soothing application of some essence or lotion which they applied to it; and they were both so kind as to bring their work--for they were very industrious--into my room, where they sat, one on each side of my bed, and sewed, embroidered, read, or chatted with me.

plural of “girl” — a young female

From this reading Two days' nursing at the hands of these charming girls made me almost well, and fit for service.

inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become

From this reading The contusion on my head no longer gave me any pain; the scar closed, and grew hourly less under the soothing application of some essence or lotion which they applied to it; and they were both so kind as to bring their work--for they were very industrious--into my room, where they sat, one on each side of my bed, and sewed, embroidered, read, or chatted with me.

a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss

From this reading There was something sufficiently pleasing, and perplexing too, in being thus placed between two such beautiful young women--one with dark hair and large orient eyes; the other, with mild blue orbs and soft bright curls; both animated, laughing, brilliant, and full of wit and vivacity.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading Two days' nursing at the hands of these charming girls made me almost well, and fit for service.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading The contusion on my head no longer gave me any pain; the scar closed, and grew hourly less under the soothing application of some essence or lotion which they applied to it; and they were both so kind as to bring their work--for they were very industrious--into my room, where they sat, one on each side of my bed, and sewed, embroidered, read, or chatted with me.

occurring every hour or payable by the hour

From this reading The contusion on my head no longer gave me any pain; the scar closed, and grew hourly less under the soothing application of some essence or lotion which they applied to it; and they were both so kind as to bring their work--for they were very industrious--into my room, where they sat, one on each side of my bed, and sewed, embroidered, read, or chatted with me.

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

From this reading There was something sufficiently pleasing, and perplexing too, in being thus placed between two such beautiful young women--one with dark hair and large orient eyes; the other, with mild blue orbs and soft bright curls; both animated, laughing, brilliant, and full of wit and vivacity.

characterized by hard work and perseverance

From this reading The contusion on my head no longer gave me any pain; the scar closed, and grew hourly less under the soothing application of some essence or lotion which they applied to it; and they were both so kind as to bring their work--for they were very industrious--into my room, where they sat, one on each side of my bed, and sewed, embroidered, read, or chatted with me.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading The contusion on my head no longer gave me any pain; the scar closed, and grew hourly less under the soothing application of some essence or lotion which they applied to it; and they were both so kind as to bring their work--for they were very industrious--into my room, where they sat, one on each side of my bed, and sewed, embroidered, read, or chatted with me.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The contusion on my head no longer gave me any pain; the scar closed, and grew hourly less under the soothing application of some essence or lotion which they applied to it; and they were both so kind as to bring their work--for they were very industrious--into my room, where they sat, one on each side of my bed, and sewed, embroidered, read, or chatted with me.

having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior

From this reading The contusion on my head no longer gave me any pain; the scar closed, and grew hourly less under the soothing application of some essence or lotion which they applied to it; and they were both so kind as to bring their work--for they were very industrious--into my room, where they sat, one on each side of my bed, and sewed, embroidered, read, or chatted with me.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading There was something sufficiently pleasing, and perplexing too, in being thus placed between two such beautiful young women--one with dark hair and large orient eyes; the other, with mild blue orbs and soft bright curls; both animated, laughing, brilliant, and full of wit and vivacity.

showing or feeling mirth or pleasure or happiness

From this reading There was something sufficiently pleasing, and perplexing too, in being thus placed between two such beautiful young women--one with dark hair and large orient eyes; the other, with mild blue orbs and soft bright curls; both animated, laughing, brilliant, and full of wit and vivacity.

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

From this reading To say the least of it, my position was very enviable.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading The contusion on my head no longer gave me any pain; the scar closed, and grew hourly less under the soothing application of some essence or lotion which they applied to it; and they were both so kind as to bring their work--for they were very industrious--into my room, where they sat, one on each side of my bed, and sewed, embroidered, read, or chatted with me.

for more time

From this reading The contusion on my head no longer gave me any pain; the scar closed, and grew hourly less under the soothing application of some essence or lotion which they applied to it; and they were both so kind as to bring their work--for they were very industrious--into my room, where they sat, one on each side of my bed, and sewed, embroidered, read, or chatted with me.

any of various cosmetic preparations that are applied to the skin

From this reading The contusion on my head no longer gave me any pain; the scar closed, and grew hourly less under the soothing application of some essence or lotion which they applied to it; and they were both so kind as to bring their work--for they were very industrious--into my room, where they sat, one on each side of my bed, and sewed, embroidered, read, or chatted with me.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Two days' nursing at the hands of these charming girls made me almost well, and fit for service.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Two days' nursing at the hands of these charming girls made me almost well, and fit for service.

moderate in type or degree or effect or force; far from extreme

From this reading There was something sufficiently pleasing, and perplexing too, in being thus placed between two such beautiful young women--one with dark hair and large orient eyes; the other, with mild blue orbs and soft bright curls; both animated, laughing, brilliant, and full of wit and vivacity.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading The contusion on my head no longer gave me any pain; the scar closed, and grew hourly less under the soothing application of some essence or lotion which they applied to it; and they were both so kind as to bring their work--for they were very industrious--into my room, where they sat, one on each side of my bed, and sewed, embroidered, read, or chatted with me.

not any; not one

From this reading The contusion on my head no longer gave me any pain; the scar closed, and grew hourly less under the soothing application of some essence or lotion which they applied to it; and they were both so kind as to bring their work--for they were very industrious--into my room, where they sat, one on each side of my bed, and sewed, embroidered, read, or chatted with me.

the work of caring for the sick or injured or infirm

From this reading Two days' nursing at the hands of these charming girls made me almost well, and fit for service.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Two days' nursing at the hands of these charming girls made me almost well, and fit for service.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The contusion on my head no longer gave me any pain; the scar closed, and grew hourly less under the soothing application of some essence or lotion which they applied to it; and they were both so kind as to bring their work--for they were very industrious--into my room, where they sat, one on each side of my bed, and sewed, embroidered, read, or chatted with me.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The contusion on my head no longer gave me any pain; the scar closed, and grew hourly less under the soothing application of some essence or lotion which they applied to it; and they were both so kind as to bring their work--for they were very industrious--into my room, where they sat, one on each side of my bed, and sewed, embroidered, read, or chatted with me.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The contusion on my head no longer gave me any pain; the scar closed, and grew hourly less under the soothing application of some essence or lotion which they applied to it; and they were both so kind as to bring their work--for they were very industrious--into my room, where they sat, one on each side of my bed, and sewed, embroidered, read, or chatted with me.

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

From this reading There was something sufficiently pleasing, and perplexing too, in being thus placed between two such beautiful young women--one with dark hair and large orient eyes; the other, with mild blue orbs and soft bright curls; both animated, laughing, brilliant, and full of wit and vivacity.

be oriented

From this reading There was something sufficiently pleasing, and perplexing too, in being thus placed between two such beautiful young women--one with dark hair and large orient eyes; the other, with mild blue orbs and soft bright curls; both animated, laughing, brilliant, and full of wit and vivacity.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading There was something sufficiently pleasing, and perplexing too, in being thus placed between two such beautiful young women--one with dark hair and large orient eyes; the other, with mild blue orbs and soft bright curls; both animated, laughing, brilliant, and full of wit and vivacity.

a symptom of some physical hurt or disorder

From this reading The contusion on my head no longer gave me any pain; the scar closed, and grew hourly less under the soothing application of some essence or lotion which they applied to it; and they were both so kind as to bring their work--for they were very industrious--into my room, where they sat, one on each side of my bed, and sewed, embroidered, read, or chatted with me.

lacking clarity of meaning; causing confusion or perplexity

From this reading There was something sufficiently pleasing, and perplexing too, in being thus placed between two such beautiful young women--one with dark hair and large orient eyes; the other, with mild blue orbs and soft bright curls; both animated, laughing, brilliant, and full of wit and vivacity.

situated in a particular spot or position

From this reading There was something sufficiently pleasing, and perplexing too, in being thus placed between two such beautiful young women--one with dark hair and large orient eyes; the other, with mild blue orbs and soft bright curls; both animated, laughing, brilliant, and full of wit and vivacity.

giving pleasure and satisfaction

From this reading There was something sufficiently pleasing, and perplexing too, in being thus placed between two such beautiful young women--one with dark hair and large orient eyes; the other, with mild blue orbs and soft bright curls; both animated, laughing, brilliant, and full of wit and vivacity.

the particular portion of space occupied by something

From this reading To say the least of it, my position was very enviable.

interpret something that is written or printed

From this reading The contusion on my head no longer gave me any pain; the scar closed, and grew hourly less under the soothing application of some essence or lotion which they applied to it; and they were both so kind as to bring their work--for they were very industrious--into my room, where they sat, one on each side of my bed, and sewed, embroidered, read, or chatted with me.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading The contusion on my head no longer gave me any pain; the scar closed, and grew hourly less under the soothing application of some essence or lotion which they applied to it; and they were both so kind as to bring their work--for they were very industrious--into my room, where they sat, one on each side of my bed, and sewed, embroidered, read, or chatted with me.

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

From this reading The contusion on my head no longer gave me any pain; the scar closed, and grew hourly less under the soothing application of some essence or lotion which they applied to it; and they were both so kind as to bring their work--for they were very industrious--into my room, where they sat, one on each side of my bed, and sewed, embroidered, read, or chatted with me.

express in words

From this reading To say the least of it, my position was very enviable.

a mark left (usually on the skin) by the healing of injured tissue

From this reading The contusion on my head no longer gave me any pain; the scar closed, and grew hourly less under the soothing application of some essence or lotion which they applied to it; and they were both so kind as to bring their work--for they were very industrious--into my room, where they sat, one on each side of my bed, and sewed, embroidered, read, or chatted with me.

work done by one person or group that benefits another

From this reading Two days' nursing at the hands of these charming girls made me almost well, and fit for service.

fastened with stitches

From this reading The contusion on my head no longer gave me any pain; the scar closed, and grew hourly less under the soothing application of some essence or lotion which they applied to it; and they were both so kind as to bring their work--for they were very industrious--into my room, where they sat, one on each side of my bed, and sewed, embroidered, read, or chatted with me.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading The contusion on my head no longer gave me any pain; the scar closed, and grew hourly less under the soothing application of some essence or lotion which they applied to it; and they were both so kind as to bring their work--for they were very industrious--into my room, where they sat, one on each side of my bed, and sewed, embroidered, read, or chatted with me.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The contusion on my head no longer gave me any pain; the scar closed, and grew hourly less under the soothing application of some essence or lotion which they applied to it; and they were both so kind as to bring their work--for they were very industrious--into my room, where they sat, one on each side of my bed, and sewed, embroidered, read, or chatted with me.

yielding readily to pressure or weight

From this reading There was something sufficiently pleasing, and perplexing too, in being thus placed between two such beautiful young women--one with dark hair and large orient eyes; the other, with mild blue orbs and soft bright curls; both animated, laughing, brilliant, and full of wit and vivacity.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading The contusion on my head no longer gave me any pain; the scar closed, and grew hourly less under the soothing application of some essence or lotion which they applied to it; and they were both so kind as to bring their work--for they were very industrious--into my room, where they sat, one on each side of my bed, and sewed, embroidered, read, or chatted with me.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading There was something sufficiently pleasing, and perplexing too, in being thus placed between two such beautiful young women--one with dark hair and large orient eyes; the other, with mild blue orbs and soft bright curls; both animated, laughing, brilliant, and full of wit and vivacity.

affording physical relief

From this reading The contusion on my head no longer gave me any pain; the scar closed, and grew hourly less under the soothing application of some essence or lotion which they applied to it; and they were both so kind as to bring their work--for they were very industrious--into my room, where they sat, one on each side of my bed, and sewed, embroidered, read, or chatted with me.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading There was something sufficiently pleasing, and perplexing too, in being thus placed between two such beautiful young women--one with dark hair and large orient eyes; the other, with mild blue orbs and soft bright curls; both animated, laughing, brilliant, and full of wit and vivacity.

to a sufficient degree

From this reading There was something sufficiently pleasing, and perplexing too, in being thus placed between two such beautiful young women--one with dark hair and large orient eyes; the other, with mild blue orbs and soft bright curls; both animated, laughing, brilliant, and full of wit and vivacity.

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

From this reading Two days' nursing at the hands of these charming girls made me almost well, and fit for service.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The contusion on my head no longer gave me any pain; the scar closed, and grew hourly less under the soothing application of some essence or lotion which they applied to it; and they were both so kind as to bring their work--for they were very industrious--into my room, where they sat, one on each side of my bed, and sewed, embroidered, read, or chatted with me.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There was something sufficiently pleasing, and perplexing too, in being thus placed between two such beautiful young women--one with dark hair and large orient eyes; the other, with mild blue orbs and soft bright curls; both animated, laughing, brilliant, and full of wit and vivacity.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading Two days' nursing at the hands of these charming girls made me almost well, and fit for service.

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

From this reading The contusion on my head no longer gave me any pain; the scar closed, and grew hourly less under the soothing application of some essence or lotion which they applied to it; and they were both so kind as to bring their work--for they were very industrious--into my room, where they sat, one on each side of my bed, and sewed, embroidered, read, or chatted with me.

(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result

From this reading There was something sufficiently pleasing, and perplexing too, in being thus placed between two such beautiful young women--one with dark hair and large orient eyes; the other, with mild blue orbs and soft bright curls; both animated, laughing, brilliant, and full of wit and vivacity.

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

From this reading The contusion on my head no longer gave me any pain; the scar closed, and grew hourly less under the soothing application of some essence or lotion which they applied to it; and they were both so kind as to bring their work--for they were very industrious--into my room, where they sat, one on each side of my bed, and sewed, embroidered, read, or chatted with me.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading There was something sufficiently pleasing, and perplexing too, in being thus placed between two such beautiful young women--one with dark hair and large orient eyes; the other, with mild blue orbs and soft bright curls; both animated, laughing, brilliant, and full of wit and vivacity.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading Two days' nursing at the hands of these charming girls made me almost well, and fit for service.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading The contusion on my head no longer gave me any pain; the scar closed, and grew hourly less under the soothing application of some essence or lotion which they applied to it; and they were both so kind as to bring their work--for they were very industrious--into my room, where they sat, one on each side of my bed, and sewed, embroidered, read, or chatted with me.

precisely as stated

From this reading The contusion on my head no longer gave me any pain; the scar closed, and grew hourly less under the soothing application of some essence or lotion which they applied to it; and they were both so kind as to bring their work--for they were very industrious--into my room, where they sat, one on each side of my bed, and sewed, embroidered, read, or chatted with me.

characterized by high spirits and animation

From this reading There was something sufficiently pleasing, and perplexing too, in being thus placed between two such beautiful young women--one with dark hair and large orient eyes; the other, with mild blue orbs and soft bright curls; both animated, laughing, brilliant, and full of wit and vivacity.

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

From this reading There was something sufficiently pleasing, and perplexing too, in being thus placed between two such beautiful young women--one with dark hair and large orient eyes; the other, with mild blue orbs and soft bright curls; both animated, laughing, brilliant, and full of wit and vivacity.

(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 Two days' nursing at the hands of these charming girls made me almost well, and fit for service.

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

From this reading The contusion on my head no longer gave me any pain; the scar closed, and grew hourly less under the soothing application of some essence or lotion which they applied to it; and they were both so kind as to bring their work--for they were very industrious--into my room, where they sat, one on each side of my bed, and sewed, embroidered, read, or chatted with me.

in or at the place that

From this reading The contusion on my head no longer gave me any pain; the scar closed, and grew hourly less under the soothing application of some essence or lotion which they applied to it; and they were both so kind as to bring their work--for they were very industrious--into my room, where they sat, one on each side of my bed, and sewed, embroidered, read, or chatted with me.

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

From this reading The contusion on my head no longer gave me any pain; the scar closed, and grew hourly less under the soothing application of some essence or lotion which they applied to it; and they were both so kind as to bring their work--for they were very industrious--into my room, where they sat, one on each side of my bed, and sewed, embroidered, read, or chatted with me.

a message whose ingenuity or verbal skill or incongruity has the power to evoke laughter

From this reading There was something sufficiently pleasing, and perplexing too, in being thus placed between two such beautiful young women--one with dark hair and large orient eyes; the other, with mild blue orbs and soft bright curls; both animated, laughing, brilliant, and full of wit and vivacity.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The contusion on my head no longer gave me any pain; the scar closed, and grew hourly less under the soothing application of some essence or lotion which they applied to it; and they were both so kind as to bring their work--for they were very industrious--into my room, where they sat, one on each side of my bed, and sewed, embroidered, read, or chatted with me.

plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading There was something sufficiently pleasing, and perplexing too, in being thus placed between two such beautiful young women--one with dark hair and large orient eyes; the other, with mild blue orbs and soft bright curls; both animated, laughing, brilliant, and full of wit and vivacity.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading The contusion on my head no longer gave me any pain; the scar closed, and grew hourly less under the soothing application of some essence or lotion which they applied to it; and they were both so kind as to bring their work--for they were very industrious--into my room, where they sat, one on each side of my bed, and sewed, embroidered, read, or chatted with me.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading There was something sufficiently pleasing, and perplexing too, in being thus placed between two such beautiful young women--one with dark hair and large orient eyes; the other, with mild blue orbs and soft bright curls; both animated, laughing, brilliant, and full of wit and vivacity.