used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading She had secured a compartment to herself, fortunately; but there was no kind hand to adjust her rugs, to see that the foot-warmer was hot, to provide her with amusing periodicals, or attend to her little comforts in any way.
actionsnounUS /ˈækʃənz/
plural of “action” — something done (usually as opposed to something said)
From this reading All her actions were mechanical, and it was not until she was fairly away in the last train for the South, and had emerged from the Gallon Tunnel, leaving Edinburgh with all its lights and lofty mansions behind, that she quite knew she was--vague and desperate of purpose--on her way to London.
adjustverbUS /əˈdʒʌst/
alter or regulate so as to achieve accuracy or conform to a standard
From this reading She had secured a compartment to herself, fortunately; but there was no kind hand to adjust her rugs, to see that the foot-warmer was hot, to provide her with amusing periodicals, or attend to her little comforts in any way.
(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 All her actions were mechanical, and it was not until she was fairly away in the last train for the South, and had emerged from the Gallon Tunnel, leaving Edinburgh with all its lights and lofty mansions behind, that she quite knew she was--vague and desperate of purpose--on her way to London.
amusingadjectiveUS /əˈmjuːzɪŋ/
providing enjoyment; pleasantly entertaining
From this reading She had secured a compartment to herself, fortunately; but there was no kind hand to adjust her rugs, to see that the foot-warmer was hot, to provide her with amusing periodicals, or attend to her little comforts in any way.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading All her actions were mechanical, and it was not until she was fairly away in the last train for the South, and had emerged from the Gallon Tunnel, leaving Edinburgh with all its lights and lofty mansions behind, that she quite knew she was--vague and desperate of purpose--on her way to London.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading She had secured a compartment to herself, fortunately; but there was no kind hand to adjust her rugs, to see that the foot-warmer was hot, to provide her with amusing periodicals, or attend to her little comforts in any way.
be present at (meetings, church services, university), etc.
From this reading She had secured a compartment to herself, fortunately; but there was no kind hand to adjust her rugs, to see that the foot-warmer was hot, to provide her with amusing periodicals, or attend to her little comforts in any way.
the season when the leaves fall from the trees
From this reading The night, one of the last of autumn, was very cold.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading All her actions were mechanical, and it was not until she was fairly away in the last train for the South, and had emerged from the Gallon Tunnel, leaving Edinburgh with all its lights and lofty mansions behind, that she quite knew she was--vague and desperate of purpose--on her way to London.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading All her actions were mechanical, and it was not until she was fairly away in the last train for the South, and had emerged from the Gallon Tunnel, leaving Edinburgh with all its lights and lofty mansions behind, that she quite knew she was--vague and desperate of purpose--on her way to London.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She had secured a compartment to herself, fortunately; but there was no kind hand to adjust her rugs, to see that the foot-warmer was hot, to provide her with amusing periodicals, or attend to her little comforts in any way.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading The night, one of the last of autumn, was very cold.
comfortsnounUS /ˈkʌmfərts/
things that make you comfortable and at ease
From this reading She had secured a compartment to herself, fortunately; but there was no kind hand to adjust her rugs, to see that the foot-warmer was hot, to provide her with amusing periodicals, or attend to her little comforts in any way.
compartmentnounUS /kəmˈpɑːrtmənt/
a space into which an area is subdivided
From this reading She had secured a compartment to herself, fortunately; but there was no kind hand to adjust her rugs, to see that the foot-warmer was hot, to provide her with amusing periodicals, or attend to her little comforts in any way.
arising from or marked by despair or loss of hope
From this reading All her actions were mechanical, and it was not until she was fairly away in the last train for the South, and had emerged from the Gallon Tunnel, leaving Edinburgh with all its lights and lofty mansions behind, that she quite knew she was--vague and desperate of purpose--on her way to London.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading She did not miss them, but she missed Jack.
EdinburghnounUS /ˈedənbəroʊ/
the capital of Scotland; located in the Lothian Region on the south side of the Firth of Forth
From this reading All her actions were mechanical, and it was not until she was fairly away in the last train for the South, and had emerged from the Gallon Tunnel, leaving Edinburgh with all its lights and lofty mansions behind, that she quite knew she was--vague and desperate of purpose--on her way to London.
emergedverbUS /ɪˈmɜːrdʒd/
past form of “emerge” — come out into view, as from concealment
From this reading All her actions were mechanical, and it was not until she was fairly away in the last train for the South, and had emerged from the Gallon Tunnel, leaving Edinburgh with all its lights and lofty mansions behind, that she quite knew she was--vague and desperate of purpose--on her way to London.
to certain extent or degree
From this reading All her actions were mechanical, and it was not until she was fairly away in the last train for the South, and had emerged from the Gallon Tunnel, leaving Edinburgh with all its lights and lofty mansions behind, that she quite knew she was--vague and desperate of purpose--on her way to London.
foot-warmer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had secured a compartment to herself, fortunately; but there was no kind hand to adjust her rugs, to see that the foot-warmer was hot, to provide her with amusing periodicals, or attend to her little comforts in any way.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading All her actions were mechanical, and it was not until she was fairly away in the last train for the South, and had emerged from the Gallon Tunnel, leaving Edinburgh with all its lights and lofty mansions behind, that she quite knew she was--vague and desperate of purpose--on her way to London.
fortunatelyadverbUS /ˈfɔːrtʃənətli/
by good fortune
From this reading She had secured a compartment to herself, fortunately; but there was no kind hand to adjust her rugs, to see that the foot-warmer was hot, to provide her with amusing periodicals, or attend to her little comforts in any way.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading All her actions were mechanical, and it was not until she was fairly away in the last train for the South, and had emerged from the Gallon Tunnel, leaving Edinburgh with all its lights and lofty mansions behind, that she quite knew she was--vague and desperate of purpose--on her way to London.
GallonnounUS /ˈɡælən/
United States liquid unit equal to 4 quarts or 3.785 liters
From this reading All her actions were mechanical, and it was not until she was fairly away in the last train for the South, and had emerged from the Gallon Tunnel, leaving Edinburgh with all its lights and lofty mansions behind, that she quite knew she was--vague and desperate of purpose--on her way to London.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She had secured a compartment to herself, fortunately; but there was no kind hand to adjust her rugs, to see that the foot-warmer was hot, to provide her with amusing periodicals, or attend to her little comforts in any way.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading She had secured a compartment to herself, fortunately; but there was no kind hand to adjust her rugs, to see that the foot-warmer was hot, to provide her with amusing periodicals, or attend to her little comforts in any way.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She had secured a compartment to herself, fortunately; but there was no kind hand to adjust her rugs, to see that the foot-warmer was hot, to provide her with amusing periodicals, or attend to her little comforts in any way.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading She had secured a compartment to herself, fortunately; but there was no kind hand to adjust her rugs, to see that the foot-warmer was hot, to provide her with amusing periodicals, or attend to her little comforts in any way.
used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning
From this reading She had secured a compartment to herself, fortunately; but there was no kind hand to adjust her rugs, to see that the foot-warmer was hot, to provide her with amusing periodicals, or attend to her little comforts in any way.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading She had secured a compartment to herself, fortunately; but there was no kind hand to adjust her rugs, to see that the foot-warmer was hot, to provide her with amusing periodicals, or attend to her little comforts in any way.
INFIRMadjectiveUS /ɪnˈfɜːrm/
lacking bodily or muscular strength or vitality
From this reading 'INFIRM OF PURPOSE!'
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading All her actions were mechanical, and it was not until she was fairly away in the last train for the South, and had emerged from the Gallon Tunnel, leaving Edinburgh with all its lights and lofty mansions behind, that she quite knew she was--vague and desperate of purpose--on her way to London.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading All her actions were mechanical, and it was not until she was fairly away in the last train for the South, and had emerged from the Gallon Tunnel, leaving Edinburgh with all its lights and lofty mansions behind, that she quite knew she was--vague and desperate of purpose--on her way to London.
a small worthless amount
From this reading She did not miss them, but she missed Jack.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading She had secured a compartment to herself, fortunately; but there was no kind hand to adjust her rugs, to see that the foot-warmer was hot, to provide her with amusing periodicals, or attend to her little comforts in any way.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading All her actions were mechanical, and it was not until she was fairly away in the last train for the South, and had emerged from the Gallon Tunnel, leaving Edinburgh with all its lights and lofty mansions behind, that she quite knew she was--vague and desperate of purpose--on her way to London.
immediately past
From this reading The night, one of the last of autumn, was very cold.
the act of departing
From this reading All her actions were mechanical, and it was not until she was fairly away in the last train for the South, and had emerged from the Gallon Tunnel, leaving Edinburgh with all its lights and lofty mansions behind, that she quite knew she was--vague and desperate of purpose--on her way to London.
plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation
From this reading All her actions were mechanical, and it was not until she was fairly away in the last train for the South, and had emerged from the Gallon Tunnel, leaving Edinburgh with all its lights and lofty mansions behind, that she quite knew she was--vague and desperate of purpose--on her way to London.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading She had secured a compartment to herself, fortunately; but there was no kind hand to adjust her rugs, to see that the foot-warmer was hot, to provide her with amusing periodicals, or attend to her little comforts in any way.
loftyadjectiveUS /ˈlɔːfti/
of high moral or intellectual value; elevated in nature or style
From this reading All her actions were mechanical, and it was not until she was fairly away in the last train for the South, and had emerged from the Gallon Tunnel, leaving Edinburgh with all its lights and lofty mansions behind, that she quite knew she was--vague and desperate of purpose--on her way to London.
the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center
From this reading All her actions were mechanical, and it was not until she was fairly away in the last train for the South, and had emerged from the Gallon Tunnel, leaving Edinburgh with all its lights and lofty mansions behind, that she quite knew she was--vague and desperate of purpose--on her way to London.
mansionsnounUS /ˈmæntʃənz/
plural of “mansion” — (astrology) one of 12 equal areas into which the zodiac is divided
From this reading All her actions were mechanical, and it was not until she was fairly away in the last train for the South, and had emerged from the Gallon Tunnel, leaving Edinburgh with all its lights and lofty mansions behind, that she quite knew she was--vague and desperate of purpose--on her way to London.
mechanicaladjectiveUS /məˈkænɪkəl/
using (or as if using) mechanisms or tools or devices
From this reading All her actions were mechanical, and it was not until she was fairly away in the last train for the South, and had emerged from the Gallon Tunnel, leaving Edinburgh with all its lights and lofty mansions behind, that she quite knew she was--vague and desperate of purpose--on her way to London.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading She did not miss them, but she missed Jack.
not caught with the senses or the mind
From this reading She did not miss them, but she missed Jack.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading The night, one of the last of autumn, was very cold.
not any; not one
From this reading She had secured a compartment to herself, fortunately; but there was no kind hand to adjust her rugs, to see that the foot-warmer was hot, to provide her with amusing periodicals, or attend to her little comforts in any way.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She did not miss them, but she missed Jack.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading 'INFIRM OF PURPOSE!'
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading All her actions were mechanical, and it was not until she was fairly away in the last train for the South, and had emerged from the Gallon Tunnel, leaving Edinburgh with all its lights and lofty mansions behind, that she quite knew she was--vague and desperate of purpose--on her way to London.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The night, one of the last of autumn, was very cold.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading She had secured a compartment to herself, fortunately; but there was no kind hand to adjust her rugs, to see that the foot-warmer was hot, to provide her with amusing periodicals, or attend to her little comforts in any way.
periodicalsnounUS /ˌpɪriˈɑːdɪkəlz/
plural of “periodical” — a publication that appears at fixed intervals
From this reading She had secured a compartment to herself, fortunately; but there was no kind hand to adjust her rugs, to see that the foot-warmer was hot, to provide her with amusing periodicals, or attend to her little comforts in any way.
provideverbUS /prəˈvaɪd/
give something useful or necessary to
From this reading She had secured a compartment to herself, fortunately; but there was no kind hand to adjust her rugs, to see that the foot-warmer was hot, to provide her with amusing periodicals, or attend to her little comforts in any way.
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading 'INFIRM OF PURPOSE!'
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading All her actions were mechanical, and it was not until she was fairly away in the last train for the South, and had emerged from the Gallon Tunnel, leaving Edinburgh with all its lights and lofty mansions behind, that she quite knew she was--vague and desperate of purpose--on her way to London.
rugsnounUS /rʌɡz/
plural of “rug” — floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)
From this reading She had secured a compartment to herself, fortunately; but there was no kind hand to adjust her rugs, to see that the foot-warmer was hot, to provide her with amusing periodicals, or attend to her little comforts in any way.
past form of “secure” — get by special effort
From this reading She had secured a compartment to herself, fortunately; but there was no kind hand to adjust her rugs, to see that the foot-warmer was hot, to provide her with amusing periodicals, or attend to her little comforts in any way.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading She had secured a compartment to herself, fortunately; but there was no kind hand to adjust her rugs, to see that the foot-warmer was hot, to provide her with amusing periodicals, or attend to her little comforts in any way.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She had secured a compartment to herself, fortunately; but there was no kind hand to adjust her rugs, to see that the foot-warmer was hot, to provide her with amusing periodicals, or attend to her little comforts in any way.
the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading All her actions were mechanical, and it was not until she was fairly away in the last train for the South, and had emerged from the Gallon Tunnel, leaving Edinburgh with all its lights and lofty mansions behind, that she quite knew she was--vague and desperate of purpose--on her way to London.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She had secured a compartment to herself, fortunately; but there was no kind hand to adjust her rugs, to see that the foot-warmer was hot, to provide her with amusing periodicals, or attend to her little comforts in any way.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The night, one of the last of autumn, was very cold.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading She did not miss them, but she missed Jack.
in or at that place or location
From this reading She had secured a compartment to herself, fortunately; but there was no kind hand to adjust her rugs, to see that the foot-warmer was hot, to provide her with amusing periodicals, or attend to her little comforts in any way.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She had secured a compartment to herself, fortunately; but there was no kind hand to adjust her rugs, to see that the foot-warmer was hot, to provide her with amusing periodicals, or attend to her little comforts in any way.
create by training and teaching
From this reading All her actions were mechanical, and it was not until she was fairly away in the last train for the South, and had emerged from the Gallon Tunnel, leaving Edinburgh with all its lights and lofty mansions behind, that she quite knew she was--vague and desperate of purpose--on her way to London.
TunnelverbUS /ˈtʌnəl/
move through by or as by digging
From this reading All her actions were mechanical, and it was not until she was fairly away in the last train for the South, and had emerged from the Gallon Tunnel, leaving Edinburgh with all its lights and lofty mansions behind, that she quite knew she was--vague and desperate of purpose--on her way to London.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading All her actions were mechanical, and it was not until she was fairly away in the last train for the South, and had emerged from the Gallon Tunnel, leaving Edinburgh with all its lights and lofty mansions behind, that she quite knew she was--vague and desperate of purpose--on her way to London.
not clearly expressed or understood
From this reading All her actions were mechanical, and it was not until she was fairly away in the last train for the South, and had emerged from the Gallon Tunnel, leaving Edinburgh with all its lights and lofty mansions behind, that she quite knew she was--vague and desperate of purpose--on her way to London.
precisely as stated
From this reading The night, one of the last of autumn, was very cold.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The night, one of the last of autumn, was very cold.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading She had secured a compartment to herself, fortunately; but there was no kind hand to adjust her rugs, to see that the foot-warmer was hot, to provide her with amusing periodicals, or attend to her little comforts in any way.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading All her actions were mechanical, and it was not until she was fairly away in the last train for the South, and had emerged from the Gallon Tunnel, leaving Edinburgh with all its lights and lofty mansions behind, that she quite knew she was--vague and desperate of purpose--on her way to London.
in the company of; together with
From this reading She had secured a compartment to herself, fortunately; but there was no kind hand to adjust her rugs, to see that the foot-warmer was hot, to provide her with amusing periodicals, or attend to her little comforts in any way.
