Chapter XI

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

From this reading BERTHA VISITS THE WIDOW LAMB On the following morning Bertha, who, in spite of her cares and trials, had slept well, rose early, and applied herself, with zeal and energy, to the great work before her--a work so difficult and delicate that it would have challenged the whole ability of a mature and experienced mind.

the quality of being able to perform; a quality that permits or facilitates achievement or accomplishment

From this reading BERTHA VISITS THE WIDOW LAMB On the following morning Bertha, who, in spite of her cares and trials, had slept well, rose early, and applied herself, with zeal and energy, to the great work before her--a work so difficult and delicate that it would have challenged the whole ability of a mature and experienced mind.

a person or thing that is a resource that helps make something easier or possible to do

From this reading Her pathway was full of trials and perplexities, for she had but little knowledge of the world, and was without the aid of influential friends.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading There were two very difficult problems, which required an immediate solution.

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

From this reading BERTHA VISITS THE WIDOW LAMB On the following morning Bertha, who, in spite of her cares and trials, had slept well, rose early, and applied herself, with zeal and energy, to the great work before her--a work so difficult and delicate that it would have challenged the whole ability of a mature and experienced mind.

concerned with concrete problems or data rather than with fundamental principles

From this reading BERTHA VISITS THE WIDOW LAMB On the following morning Bertha, who, in spite of her cares and trials, had slept well, rose early, and applied herself, with zeal and energy, to the great work before her--a work so difficult and delicate that it would have challenged the whole ability of a mature and experienced mind.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading The first was, what to do with Fanny; and the second, whether Richard would be a help or a hindrance to her.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading If there had been no one but herself to provide for, the task would have been an easy one.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading BERTHA VISITS THE WIDOW LAMB On the following morning Bertha, who, in spite of her cares and trials, had slept well, rose early, and applied herself, with zeal and energy, to the great work before her--a work so difficult and delicate that it would have challenged the whole ability of a mature and experienced mind.

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

From this reading BERTHA VISITS THE WIDOW LAMB On the following morning Bertha, who, in spite of her cares and trials, had slept well, rose early, and applied herself, with zeal and energy, to the great work before her--a work so difficult and delicate that it would have challenged the whole ability of a mature and experienced mind.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Her pathway was full of trials and perplexities, for she had but little knowledge of the world, and was without the aid of influential friends.

plural of “care” — the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something

From this reading BERTHA VISITS THE WIDOW LAMB On the following morning Bertha, who, in spite of her cares and trials, had slept well, rose early, and applied herself, with zeal and energy, to the great work before her--a work so difficult and delicate that it would have challenged the whole ability of a mature and experienced mind.

past form of “challenge” — take exception to

From this reading BERTHA VISITS THE WIDOW LAMB On the following morning Bertha, who, in spite of her cares and trials, had slept well, rose early, and applied herself, with zeal and energy, to the great work before her--a work so difficult and delicate that it would have challenged the whole ability of a mature and experienced mind.

exquisitely fine and subtle and pleasing; susceptible to injury

From this reading BERTHA VISITS THE WIDOW LAMB On the following morning Bertha, who, in spite of her cares and trials, had slept well, rose early, and applied herself, with zeal and energy, to the great work before her--a work so difficult and delicate that it would have challenged the whole ability of a mature and experienced mind.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading BERTHA VISITS THE WIDOW LAMB On the following morning Bertha, who, in spite of her cares and trials, had slept well, rose early, and applied herself, with zeal and energy, to the great work before her--a work so difficult and delicate that it would have challenged the whole ability of a mature and experienced mind.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading The first was, what to do with Fanny; and the second, whether Richard would be a help or a hindrance to her.

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading BERTHA VISITS THE WIDOW LAMB On the following morning Bertha, who, in spite of her cares and trials, had slept well, rose early, and applied herself, with zeal and energy, to the great work before her--a work so difficult and delicate that it would have challenged the whole ability of a mature and experienced mind.

posing no difficulty; requiring little effort

From this reading If there had been no one but herself to provide for, the task would have been an easy one.

(physics) a thermodynamic quantity equivalent to the capacity of a physical system to do work; the units of energy are joules or ergs

From this reading BERTHA VISITS THE WIDOW LAMB On the following morning Bertha, who, in spite of her cares and trials, had slept well, rose early, and applied herself, with zeal and energy, to the great work before her--a work so difficult and delicate that it would have challenged the whole ability of a mature and experienced mind.

having experience; having knowledge or skill from observation or participation

From this reading BERTHA VISITS THE WIDOW LAMB On the following morning Bertha, who, in spite of her cares and trials, had slept well, rose early, and applied herself, with zeal and energy, to the great work before her--a work so difficult and delicate that it would have challenged the whole ability of a mature and experienced mind.

the fleshy part of the human body that you sit on

From this reading The first was, what to do with Fanny; and the second, whether Richard would be a help or a hindrance to her.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading The first was, what to do with Fanny; and the second, whether Richard would be a help or a hindrance to her.

about to be mentioned or specified

From this reading BERTHA VISITS THE WIDOW LAMB On the following morning Bertha, who, in spite of her cares and trials, had slept well, rose early, and applied herself, with zeal and energy, to the great work before her--a work so difficult and delicate that it would have challenged the whole ability of a mature and experienced mind.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Her pathway was full of trials and perplexities, for she had but little knowledge of the world, and was without the aid of influential friends.

plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading Her pathway was full of trials and perplexities, for she had but little knowledge of the world, and was without the aid of influential friends.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading Her pathway was full of trials and perplexities, for she had but little knowledge of the world, and was without the aid of influential friends.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading BERTHA VISITS THE WIDOW LAMB On the following morning Bertha, who, in spite of her cares and trials, had slept well, rose early, and applied herself, with zeal and energy, to the great work before her--a work so difficult and delicate that it would have challenged the whole ability of a mature and experienced mind.

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

From this reading BERTHA VISITS THE WIDOW LAMB On the following morning Bertha, who, in spite of her cares and trials, had slept well, rose early, and applied herself, with zeal and energy, to the great work before her--a work so difficult and delicate that it would have challenged the whole ability of a mature and experienced mind.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading BERTHA VISITS THE WIDOW LAMB On the following morning Bertha, who, in spite of her cares and trials, had slept well, rose early, and applied herself, with zeal and energy, to the great work before her--a work so difficult and delicate that it would have challenged the whole ability of a mature and experienced mind.

give help or assistance; be of service

From this reading The first was, what to do with Fanny; and the second, whether Richard would be a help or a hindrance to her.

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

From this reading BERTHA VISITS THE WIDOW LAMB On the following morning Bertha, who, in spite of her cares and trials, had slept well, rose early, and applied herself, with zeal and energy, to the great work before her--a work so difficult and delicate that it would have challenged the whole ability of a mature and experienced mind.

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading BERTHA VISITS THE WIDOW LAMB On the following morning Bertha, who, in spite of her cares and trials, had slept well, rose early, and applied herself, with zeal and energy, to the great work before her--a work so difficult and delicate that it would have challenged the whole ability of a mature and experienced mind.

something immaterial that interferes with or delays action or progress

From this reading The first was, what to do with Fanny; and the second, whether Richard would be a help or a hindrance to her.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If there had been no one but herself to provide for, the task would have been an easy one.

of the present time and place

From this reading There were two very difficult problems, which required an immediate solution.

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

From this reading BERTHA VISITS THE WIDOW LAMB On the following morning Bertha, who, in spite of her cares and trials, had slept well, rose early, and applied herself, with zeal and energy, to the great work before her--a work so difficult and delicate that it would have challenged the whole ability of a mature and experienced mind.

having or exercising influence or power

From this reading Her pathway was full of trials and perplexities, for she had but little knowledge of the world, and was without the aid of influential friends.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading BERTHA VISITS THE WIDOW LAMB On the following morning Bertha, who, in spite of her cares and trials, had slept well, rose early, and applied herself, with zeal and energy, to the great work before her--a work so difficult and delicate that it would have challenged the whole ability of a mature and experienced mind.

the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning

From this reading Her pathway was full of trials and perplexities, for she had but little knowledge of the world, and was without the aid of influential friends.

young sheep

From this reading BERTHA VISITS THE WIDOW LAMB On the following morning Bertha, who, in spite of her cares and trials, had slept well, rose early, and applied herself, with zeal and energy, to the great work before her--a work so difficult and delicate that it would have challenged the whole ability of a mature and experienced mind.

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

From this reading Her pathway was full of trials and perplexities, for she had but little knowledge of the world, and was without the aid of influential friends.

characteristic of maturity

From this reading BERTHA VISITS THE WIDOW LAMB On the following morning Bertha, who, in spite of her cares and trials, had slept well, rose early, and applied herself, with zeal and energy, to the great work before her--a work so difficult and delicate that it would have challenged the whole ability of a mature and experienced mind.

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading BERTHA VISITS THE WIDOW LAMB On the following morning Bertha, who, in spite of her cares and trials, had slept well, rose early, and applied herself, with zeal and energy, to the great work before her--a work so difficult and delicate that it would have challenged the whole ability of a mature and experienced mind.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading BERTHA VISITS THE WIDOW LAMB On the following morning Bertha, who, in spite of her cares and trials, had slept well, rose early, and applied herself, with zeal and energy, to the great work before her--a work so difficult and delicate that it would have challenged the whole ability of a mature and experienced mind.

not any; not one

From this reading If there had been no one but herself to provide for, the task would have been an easy one.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading BERTHA VISITS THE WIDOW LAMB On the following morning Bertha, who, in spite of her cares and trials, had slept well, rose early, and applied herself, with zeal and energy, to the great work before her--a work so difficult and delicate that it would have challenged the whole ability of a mature and experienced mind.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading BERTHA VISITS THE WIDOW LAMB On the following morning Bertha, who, in spite of her cares and trials, had slept well, rose early, and applied herself, with zeal and energy, to the great work before her--a work so difficult and delicate that it would have challenged the whole ability of a mature and experienced mind.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading If there had been no one but herself to provide for, the task would have been an easy one.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The first was, what to do with Fanny; and the second, whether Richard would be a help or a hindrance to her.

a bundle of myelinated nerve fibers following a path through the brain

From this reading Her pathway was full of trials and perplexities, for she had but little knowledge of the world, and was without the aid of influential friends.

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

From this reading Her pathway was full of trials and perplexities, for she had but little knowledge of the world, and was without the aid of influential friends.

plural of “problem” — a state of difficulty that needs to be resolved

From this reading There were two very difficult problems, which required an immediate solution.

give something useful or necessary to

From this reading If there had been no one but herself to provide for, the task would have been an easy one.

necessary for relief or supply

From this reading There were two very difficult problems, which required an immediate solution.

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

From this reading The first was, what to do with Fanny; and the second, whether Richard would be a help or a hindrance to her.

any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses

From this reading BERTHA VISITS THE WIDOW LAMB On the following morning Bertha, who, in spite of her cares and trials, had slept well, rose early, and applied herself, with zeal and energy, to the great work before her--a work so difficult and delicate that it would have challenged the whole ability of a mature and experienced mind.

1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading The first was, what to do with Fanny; and the second, whether Richard would be a help or a hindrance to her.

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

From this reading Her pathway was full of trials and perplexities, for she had but little knowledge of the world, and was without the aid of influential friends.

inflected form of “sleep” — be asleep

From this reading BERTHA VISITS THE WIDOW LAMB On the following morning Bertha, who, in spite of her cares and trials, had slept well, rose early, and applied herself, with zeal and energy, to the great work before her--a work so difficult and delicate that it would have challenged the whole ability of a mature and experienced mind.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading BERTHA VISITS THE WIDOW LAMB On the following morning Bertha, who, in spite of her cares and trials, had slept well, rose early, and applied herself, with zeal and energy, to the great work before her--a work so difficult and delicate that it would have challenged the whole ability of a mature and experienced mind.

a homogeneous mixture of two or more substances; frequently (but not necessarily) a liquid solution

From this reading There were two very difficult problems, which required an immediate solution.

feeling a need to see others suffer

From this reading BERTHA VISITS THE WIDOW LAMB On the following morning Bertha, who, in spite of her cares and trials, had slept well, rose early, and applied herself, with zeal and energy, to the great work before her--a work so difficult and delicate that it would have challenged the whole ability of a mature and experienced mind.

any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted

From this reading If there had been no one but herself to provide for, the task would have been an easy one.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading BERTHA VISITS THE WIDOW LAMB On the following morning Bertha, who, in spite of her cares and trials, had slept well, rose early, and applied herself, with zeal and energy, to the great work before her--a work so difficult and delicate that it would have challenged the whole ability of a mature and experienced mind.

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

From this reading BERTHA VISITS THE WIDOW LAMB On the following morning Bertha, who, in spite of her cares and trials, had slept well, rose early, and applied herself, with zeal and energy, to the great work before her--a work so difficult and delicate that it would have challenged the whole ability of a mature and experienced mind.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There were two very difficult problems, which required an immediate solution.

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

From this reading BERTHA VISITS THE WIDOW LAMB On the following morning Bertha, who, in spite of her cares and trials, had slept well, rose early, and applied herself, with zeal and energy, to the great work before her--a work so difficult and delicate that it would have challenged the whole ability of a mature and experienced mind.

plural of “trial” — the act of testing something

From this reading BERTHA VISITS THE WIDOW LAMB On the following morning Bertha, who, in spite of her cares and trials, had slept well, rose early, and applied herself, with zeal and energy, to the great work before her--a work so difficult and delicate that it would have challenged the whole ability of a mature and experienced mind.

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

From this reading There were two very difficult problems, which required an immediate solution.

precisely as stated

From this reading There were two very difficult problems, which required an immediate solution.

plural of “visit” — the act of going to see some person or place or thing for a short time

From this reading BERTHA VISITS THE WIDOW LAMB On the following morning Bertha, who, in spite of her cares and trials, had slept well, rose early, and applied herself, with zeal and energy, to the great work before her--a work so difficult and delicate that it would have challenged the whole ability of a mature and experienced mind.

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

From this reading Her pathway was full of trials and perplexities, for she had but little knowledge of the world, and was without the aid of influential friends.

(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 BERTHA VISITS THE WIDOW LAMB On the following morning Bertha, who, in spite of her cares and trials, had slept well, rose early, and applied herself, with zeal and energy, to the great work before her--a work so difficult and delicate that it would have challenged the whole ability of a mature and experienced mind.

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

From this reading There were two very difficult problems, which required an immediate solution.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading The first was, what to do with Fanny; and the second, whether Richard would be a help or a hindrance to her.

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading The first was, what to do with Fanny; and the second, whether Richard would be a help or a hindrance to her.

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

From this reading There were two very difficult problems, which required an immediate solution.

which person or people

From this reading BERTHA VISITS THE WIDOW LAMB On the following morning Bertha, who, in spite of her cares and trials, had slept well, rose early, and applied herself, with zeal and energy, to the great work before her--a work so difficult and delicate that it would have challenged the whole ability of a mature and experienced mind.

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

From this reading BERTHA VISITS THE WIDOW LAMB On the following morning Bertha, who, in spite of her cares and trials, had slept well, rose early, and applied herself, with zeal and energy, to the great work before her--a work so difficult and delicate that it would have challenged the whole ability of a mature and experienced mind.

a woman whose husband is dead especially one who has not remarried

From this reading BERTHA VISITS THE WIDOW LAMB On the following morning Bertha, who, in spite of her cares and trials, had slept well, rose early, and applied herself, with zeal and energy, to the great work before her--a work so difficult and delicate that it would have challenged the whole ability of a mature and experienced mind.

in the company of; together with

From this reading BERTHA VISITS THE WIDOW LAMB On the following morning Bertha, who, in spite of her cares and trials, had slept well, rose early, and applied herself, with zeal and energy, to the great work before her--a work so difficult and delicate that it would have challenged the whole ability of a mature and experienced mind.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading Her pathway was full of trials and perplexities, for she had but little knowledge of the world, and was without the aid of influential friends.

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

From this reading BERTHA VISITS THE WIDOW LAMB On the following morning Bertha, who, in spite of her cares and trials, had slept well, rose early, and applied herself, with zeal and energy, to the great work before her--a work so difficult and delicate that it would have challenged the whole ability of a mature and experienced mind.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading Her pathway was full of trials and perplexities, for she had but little knowledge of the world, and was without the aid of influential friends.

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

From this reading BERTHA VISITS THE WIDOW LAMB On the following morning Bertha, who, in spite of her cares and trials, had slept well, rose early, and applied herself, with zeal and energy, to the great work before her--a work so difficult and delicate that it would have challenged the whole ability of a mature and experienced mind.

a feeling of strong eagerness (usually in favor of a person or cause)

From this reading BERTHA VISITS THE WIDOW LAMB On the following morning Bertha, who, in spite of her cares and trials, had slept well, rose early, and applied herself, with zeal and energy, to the great work before her--a work so difficult and delicate that it would have challenged the whole ability of a mature and experienced mind.