Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading Meekly resign'd she sat, in anxious pain; He fill'd his pipe, and listen'd to the rain That batter'd furiously their strong abode, Roar'd in the Damm, and lash'd the pebbled road: When, mingling with the storm, confus'd and wild, They heard, or thought they heard, a screaming _Child_: The voice approach'd; and midst the thunder's roar, Now loudly begg'd for Mercy at the door.

any address at which you dwell more than temporarily

From this reading Meekly resign'd she sat, in anxious pain; He fill'd his pipe, and listen'd to the rain That batter'd furiously their strong abode, Roar'd in the Damm, and lash'd the pebbled road: When, mingling with the storm, confus'd and wild, They heard, or thought they heard, a screaming _Child_: The voice approach'd; and midst the thunder's roar, Now loudly begg'd for Mercy at the door.

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

From this reading Meekly resign'd she sat, in anxious pain; He fill'd his pipe, and listen'd to the rain That batter'd furiously their strong abode, Roar'd in the Damm, and lash'd the pebbled road: When, mingling with the storm, confus'd and wild, They heard, or thought they heard, a screaming _Child_: The voice approach'd; and midst the thunder's roar, Now loudly begg'd for Mercy at the door.

eagerly desirous

From this reading Meekly resign'd she sat, in anxious pain; He fill'd his pipe, and listen'd to the rain That batter'd furiously their strong abode, Roar'd in the Damm, and lash'd the pebbled road: When, mingling with the storm, confus'd and wild, They heard, or thought they heard, a screaming _Child_: The voice approach'd; and midst the thunder's roar, Now loudly begg'd for Mercy at the door.

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

From this reading Meekly resign'd she sat, in anxious pain; He fill'd his pipe, and listen'd to the rain That batter'd furiously their strong abode, Roar'd in the Damm, and lash'd the pebbled road: When, mingling with the storm, confus'd and wild, They heard, or thought they heard, a screaming _Child_: The voice approach'd; and midst the thunder's roar, Now loudly begg'd for Mercy at the door.

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

From this reading But as she stript her shoulders, lily-white, What marks of cruel usage shock'd their sight!

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Meekly resign'd she sat, in anxious pain; He fill'd his pipe, and listen'd to the rain That batter'd furiously their strong abode, Roar'd in the Damm, and lash'd the pebbled road: When, mingling with the storm, confus'd and wild, They heard, or thought they heard, a screaming _Child_: The voice approach'd; and midst the thunder's roar, Now loudly begg'd for Mercy at the door.

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

From this reading Meekly resign'd she sat, in anxious pain; He fill'd his pipe, and listen'd to the rain That batter'd furiously their strong abode, Roar'd in the Damm, and lash'd the pebbled road: When, mingling with the storm, confus'd and wild, They heard, or thought they heard, a screaming _Child_: The voice approach'd; and midst the thunder's roar, Now loudly begg'd for Mercy at the door.

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

From this reading Meekly resign'd she sat, in anxious pain; He fill'd his pipe, and listen'd to the rain That batter'd furiously their strong abode, Roar'd in the Damm, and lash'd the pebbled road: When, mingling with the storm, confus'd and wild, They heard, or thought they heard, a screaming _Child_: The voice approach'd; and midst the thunder's roar, Now loudly begg'd for Mercy at the door.

the front of the trunk from the neck to the abdomen

From this reading With kind officiousness the tender Dame Rous'd up the dying embers to a flame; Dry cloaths procur'd, and cheer'd her shiv'ring guest, And sooth'd the sorrows of her infant breast.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But as she stript her shoulders, lily-white, What marks of cruel usage shock'd their sight!

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading MERCY was _there_: the Miller heard the call; His door he open'd; when a sudden squall _The Young Stranger_.

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

From this reading With kind officiousness the tender Dame Rous'd up the dying embers to a flame; Dry cloaths procur'd, and cheer'd her shiv'ring guest, And sooth'd the sorrows of her infant breast.

a young person of either sex

From this reading Meekly resign'd she sat, in anxious pain; He fill'd his pipe, and listen'd to the rain That batter'd furiously their strong abode, Roar'd in the Damm, and lash'd the pebbled road: When, mingling with the storm, confus'd and wild, They heard, or thought they heard, a screaming _Child_: The voice approach'd; and midst the thunder's roar, Now loudly begg'd for Mercy at the door.

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

From this reading With kind officiousness the tender Dame Rous'd up the dying embers to a flame; Dry cloaths procur'd, and cheer'd her shiv'ring guest, And sooth'd the sorrows of her infant breast.

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 Drove in a wretched Girl; who weeping stood, Whilst the cold rain dripp'd from her in a flood.

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

From this reading Meekly resign'd she sat, in anxious pain; He fill'd his pipe, and listen'd to the rain That batter'd furiously their strong abode, Roar'd in the Damm, and lash'd the pebbled road: When, mingling with the storm, confus'd and wild, They heard, or thought they heard, a screaming _Child_: The voice approach'd; and midst the thunder's roar, Now loudly begg'd for Mercy at the door.

(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering

From this reading But as she stript her shoulders, lily-white, What marks of cruel usage shock'd their sight!

informal terms for a (young) woman

From this reading With kind officiousness the tender Dame Rous'd up the dying embers to a flame; Dry cloaths procur'd, and cheer'd her shiv'ring guest, And sooth'd the sorrows of her infant breast.

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

From this reading Meekly resign'd she sat, in anxious pain; He fill'd his pipe, and listen'd to the rain That batter'd furiously their strong abode, Roar'd in the Damm, and lash'd the pebbled road: When, mingling with the storm, confus'd and wild, They heard, or thought they heard, a screaming _Child_: The voice approach'd; and midst the thunder's roar, Now loudly begg'd for Mercy at the door.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading Meekly resign'd she sat, in anxious pain; He fill'd his pipe, and listen'd to the rain That batter'd furiously their strong abode, Roar'd in the Damm, and lash'd the pebbled road: When, mingling with the storm, confus'd and wild, They heard, or thought they heard, a screaming _Child_: The voice approach'd; and midst the thunder's roar, Now loudly begg'd for Mercy at the door.

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

From this reading Drove in a wretched Girl; who weeping stood, Whilst the cold rain dripp'd from her in a flood.

a group of animals (a herd or flock) moving together

From this reading Drove in a wretched Girl; who weeping stood, Whilst the cold rain dripp'd from her in a flood.

free from liquid or moisture; lacking natural or normal moisture or depleted of water; or no longer wet

From this reading With kind officiousness the tender Dame Rous'd up the dying embers to a flame; Dry cloaths procur'd, and cheer'd her shiv'ring guest, And sooth'd the sorrows of her infant breast.

in or associated with the process of passing from life or ceasing to be

From this reading With kind officiousness the tender Dame Rous'd up the dying embers to a flame; Dry cloaths procur'd, and cheer'd her shiv'ring guest, And sooth'd the sorrows of her infant breast.

plural of “ember” — a hot fragment of wood or coal that is left from a fire and is glowing or smoldering

From this reading With kind officiousness the tender Dame Rous'd up the dying embers to a flame; Dry cloaths procur'd, and cheer'd her shiv'ring guest, And sooth'd the sorrows of her infant breast.

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

From this reading Meekly resign'd she sat, in anxious pain; He fill'd his pipe, and listen'd to the rain That batter'd furiously their strong abode, Roar'd in the Damm, and lash'd the pebbled road: When, mingling with the storm, confus'd and wild, They heard, or thought they heard, a screaming _Child_: The voice approach'd; and midst the thunder's roar, Now loudly begg'd for Mercy at the door.

A hot glowing body of ignited gas produced by fire.

From this reading With kind officiousness the tender Dame Rous'd up the dying embers to a flame; Dry cloaths procur'd, and cheer'd her shiv'ring guest, And sooth'd the sorrows of her infant breast.

the rising of a body of water and its overflowing onto normally dry land

From this reading Drove in a wretched Girl; who weeping stood, Whilst the cold rain dripp'd from her in a flood.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Meekly resign'd she sat, in anxious pain; He fill'd his pipe, and listen'd to the rain That batter'd furiously their strong abode, Roar'd in the Damm, and lash'd the pebbled road: When, mingling with the storm, confus'd and wild, They heard, or thought they heard, a screaming _Child_: The voice approach'd; and midst the thunder's roar, Now loudly begg'd for Mercy at the door.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Drove in a wretched Girl; who weeping stood, Whilst the cold rain dripp'd from her in a flood.

(of the elements) in a wild and stormy manner

From this reading Meekly resign'd she sat, in anxious pain; He fill'd his pipe, and listen'd to the rain That batter'd furiously their strong abode, Roar'd in the Damm, and lash'd the pebbled road: When, mingling with the storm, confus'd and wild, They heard, or thought they heard, a screaming _Child_: The voice approach'd; and midst the thunder's roar, Now loudly begg'd for Mercy at the door.

a young female

From this reading Drove in a wretched Girl; who weeping stood, Whilst the cold rain dripp'd from her in a flood.

a visitor to whom hospitality is extended

From this reading With kind officiousness the tender Dame Rous'd up the dying embers to a flame; Dry cloaths procur'd, and cheer'd her shiv'ring guest, And sooth'd the sorrows of her infant breast.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Meekly resign'd she sat, in anxious pain; He fill'd his pipe, and listen'd to the rain That batter'd furiously their strong abode, Roar'd in the Damm, and lash'd the pebbled road: When, mingling with the storm, confus'd and wild, They heard, or thought they heard, a screaming _Child_: The voice approach'd; and midst the thunder's roar, Now loudly begg'd for Mercy at the door.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading Meekly resign'd she sat, in anxious pain; He fill'd his pipe, and listen'd to the rain That batter'd furiously their strong abode, Roar'd in the Damm, and lash'd the pebbled road: When, mingling with the storm, confus'd and wild, They heard, or thought they heard, a screaming _Child_: The voice approach'd; and midst the thunder's roar, Now loudly begg'd for Mercy at the door.

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

From this reading Drove in a wretched Girl; who weeping stood, Whilst the cold rain dripp'd from her in a flood.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Meekly resign'd she sat, in anxious pain; He fill'd his pipe, and listen'd to the rain That batter'd furiously their strong abode, Roar'd in the Damm, and lash'd the pebbled road: When, mingling with the storm, confus'd and wild, They heard, or thought they heard, a screaming _Child_: The voice approach'd; and midst the thunder's roar, Now loudly begg'd for Mercy at the door.

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

From this reading Meekly resign'd she sat, in anxious pain; He fill'd his pipe, and listen'd to the rain That batter'd furiously their strong abode, Roar'd in the Damm, and lash'd the pebbled road: When, mingling with the storm, confus'd and wild, They heard, or thought they heard, a screaming _Child_: The voice approach'd; and midst the thunder's roar, Now loudly begg'd for Mercy at the door.

a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk

From this reading With kind officiousness the tender Dame Rous'd up the dying embers to a flame; Dry cloaths procur'd, and cheer'd her shiv'ring guest, And sooth'd the sorrows of her infant breast.

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

From this reading With kind officiousness the tender Dame Rous'd up the dying embers to a flame; Dry cloaths procur'd, and cheer'd her shiv'ring guest, And sooth'd the sorrows of her infant breast.

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

From this reading Meekly resign'd she sat, in anxious pain; He fill'd his pipe, and listen'd to the rain That batter'd furiously their strong abode, Roar'd in the Damm, and lash'd the pebbled road: When, mingling with the storm, confus'd and wild, They heard, or thought they heard, a screaming _Child_: The voice approach'd; and midst the thunder's roar, Now loudly begg'd for Mercy at the door.

restricted to whites only

From this reading But as she stript her shoulders, lily-white, What marks of cruel usage shock'd their sight!

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

From this reading Meekly resign'd she sat, in anxious pain; He fill'd his pipe, and listen'd to the rain That batter'd furiously their strong abode, Roar'd in the Damm, and lash'd the pebbled road: When, mingling with the storm, confus'd and wild, They heard, or thought they heard, a screaming _Child_: The voice approach'd; and midst the thunder's roar, Now loudly begg'd for Mercy at the door.

with relatively high volume

From this reading Meekly resign'd she sat, in anxious pain; He fill'd his pipe, and listen'd to the rain That batter'd furiously their strong abode, Roar'd in the Damm, and lash'd the pebbled road: When, mingling with the storm, confus'd and wild, They heard, or thought they heard, a screaming _Child_: The voice approach'd; and midst the thunder's roar, Now loudly begg'd for Mercy at the door.

English businessman who created a retail chain (1888-1964)

From this reading But as she stript her shoulders, lily-white, What marks of cruel usage shock'd their sight!

in a submissive or spiritless manner

From this reading Meekly resign'd she sat, in anxious pain; He fill'd his pipe, and listen'd to the rain That batter'd furiously their strong abode, Roar'd in the Damm, and lash'd the pebbled road: When, mingling with the storm, confus'd and wild, They heard, or thought they heard, a screaming _Child_: The voice approach'd; and midst the thunder's roar, Now loudly begg'd for Mercy at the door.

leniency and compassion shown toward offenders by a person or agency charged with administering justice

From this reading Meekly resign'd she sat, in anxious pain; He fill'd his pipe, and listen'd to the rain That batter'd furiously their strong abode, Roar'd in the Damm, and lash'd the pebbled road: When, mingling with the storm, confus'd and wild, They heard, or thought they heard, a screaming _Child_: The voice approach'd; and midst the thunder's roar, Now loudly begg'd for Mercy at the door.

the location of something surrounded by other things

From this reading Meekly resign'd she sat, in anxious pain; He fill'd his pipe, and listen'd to the rain That batter'd furiously their strong abode, Roar'd in the Damm, and lash'd the pebbled road: When, mingling with the storm, confus'd and wild, They heard, or thought they heard, a screaming _Child_: The voice approach'd; and midst the thunder's roar, Now loudly begg'd for Mercy at the door.

United States bandleader of a popular big band (1909-1944)

From this reading MERCY was _there_: the Miller heard the call; His door he open'd; when a sudden squall _The Young Stranger_.

the action of people mingling and coming into contact

From this reading Meekly resign'd she sat, in anxious pain; He fill'd his pipe, and listen'd to the rain That batter'd furiously their strong abode, Roar'd in the Damm, and lash'd the pebbled road: When, mingling with the storm, confus'd and wild, They heard, or thought they heard, a screaming _Child_: The voice approach'd; and midst the thunder's roar, Now loudly begg'd for Mercy at the door.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading Meekly resign'd she sat, in anxious pain; He fill'd his pipe, and listen'd to the rain That batter'd furiously their strong abode, Roar'd in the Damm, and lash'd the pebbled road: When, mingling with the storm, confus'd and wild, They heard, or thought they heard, a screaming _Child_: The voice approach'd; and midst the thunder's roar, Now loudly begg'd for Mercy at the door.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading With kind officiousness the tender Dame Rous'd up the dying embers to a flame; Dry cloaths procur'd, and cheer'd her shiv'ring guest, And sooth'd the sorrows of her infant breast.

aggressiveness as evidenced by intruding; by advancing yourself or your ideas without invitation

From this reading With kind officiousness the tender Dame Rous'd up the dying embers to a flame; Dry cloaths procur'd, and cheer'd her shiv'ring guest, And sooth'd the sorrows of her infant breast.

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

From this reading MERCY was _there_: the Miller heard the call; His door he open'd; when a sudden squall _The Young Stranger_.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Meekly resign'd she sat, in anxious pain; He fill'd his pipe, and listen'd to the rain That batter'd furiously their strong abode, Roar'd in the Damm, and lash'd the pebbled road: When, mingling with the storm, confus'd and wild, They heard, or thought they heard, a screaming _Child_: The voice approach'd; and midst the thunder's roar, Now loudly begg'd for Mercy at the door.

a symptom of some physical hurt or disorder

From this reading Meekly resign'd she sat, in anxious pain; He fill'd his pipe, and listen'd to the rain That batter'd furiously their strong abode, Roar'd in the Damm, and lash'd the pebbled road: When, mingling with the storm, confus'd and wild, They heard, or thought they heard, a screaming _Child_: The voice approach'd; and midst the thunder's roar, Now loudly begg'd for Mercy at the door.

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

From this reading Meekly resign'd she sat, in anxious pain; He fill'd his pipe, and listen'd to the rain That batter'd furiously their strong abode, Roar'd in the Damm, and lash'd the pebbled road: When, mingling with the storm, confus'd and wild, They heard, or thought they heard, a screaming _Child_: The voice approach'd; and midst the thunder's roar, Now loudly begg'd for Mercy at the door.

a tube with a small bowl at one end; used for smoking tobacco

From this reading Meekly resign'd she sat, in anxious pain; He fill'd his pipe, and listen'd to the rain That batter'd furiously their strong abode, Roar'd in the Damm, and lash'd the pebbled road: When, mingling with the storm, confus'd and wild, They heard, or thought they heard, a screaming _Child_: The voice approach'd; and midst the thunder's roar, Now loudly begg'd for Mercy at the door.

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

From this reading With kind officiousness the tender Dame Rous'd up the dying embers to a flame; Dry cloaths procur'd, and cheer'd her shiv'ring guest, And sooth'd the sorrows of her infant breast.

water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere

From this reading Meekly resign'd she sat, in anxious pain; He fill'd his pipe, and listen'd to the rain That batter'd furiously their strong abode, Roar'd in the Damm, and lash'd the pebbled road: When, mingling with the storm, confus'd and wild, They heard, or thought they heard, a screaming _Child_: The voice approach'd; and midst the thunder's roar, Now loudly begg'd for Mercy at the door.

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

From this reading Meekly resign'd she sat, in anxious pain; He fill'd his pipe, and listen'd to the rain That batter'd furiously their strong abode, Roar'd in the Damm, and lash'd the pebbled road: When, mingling with the storm, confus'd and wild, They heard, or thought they heard, a screaming _Child_: The voice approach'd; and midst the thunder's roar, Now loudly begg'd for Mercy at the door.

an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation

From this reading Meekly resign'd she sat, in anxious pain; He fill'd his pipe, and listen'd to the rain That batter'd furiously their strong abode, Roar'd in the Damm, and lash'd the pebbled road: When, mingling with the storm, confus'd and wild, They heard, or thought they heard, a screaming _Child_: The voice approach'd; and midst the thunder's roar, Now loudly begg'd for Mercy at the door.

make a loud noise, as of wind, water, or vehicles

From this reading Meekly resign'd she sat, in anxious pain; He fill'd his pipe, and listen'd to the rain That batter'd furiously their strong abode, Roar'd in the Damm, and lash'd the pebbled road: When, mingling with the storm, confus'd and wild, They heard, or thought they heard, a screaming _Child_: The voice approach'd; and midst the thunder's roar, Now loudly begg'd for Mercy at the door.

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

From this reading Meekly resign'd she sat, in anxious pain; He fill'd his pipe, and listen'd to the rain That batter'd furiously their strong abode, Roar'd in the Damm, and lash'd the pebbled road: When, mingling with the storm, confus'd and wild, They heard, or thought they heard, a screaming _Child_: The voice approach'd; and midst the thunder's roar, Now loudly begg'd for Mercy at the door.

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

From this reading With kind officiousness the tender Dame Rous'd up the dying embers to a flame; Dry cloaths procur'd, and cheer'd her shiv'ring guest, And sooth'd the sorrows of her infant breast.

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

From this reading Meekly resign'd she sat, in anxious pain; He fill'd his pipe, and listen'd to the rain That batter'd furiously their strong abode, Roar'd in the Damm, and lash'd the pebbled road: When, mingling with the storm, confus'd and wild, They heard, or thought they heard, a screaming _Child_: The voice approach'd; and midst the thunder's roar, Now loudly begg'd for Mercy at the door.

so extremely intense as to evoke screams

From this reading Meekly resign'd she sat, in anxious pain; He fill'd his pipe, and listen'd to the rain That batter'd furiously their strong abode, Roar'd in the Damm, and lash'd the pebbled road: When, mingling with the storm, confus'd and wild, They heard, or thought they heard, a screaming _Child_: The voice approach'd; and midst the thunder's roar, Now loudly begg'd for Mercy at the door.

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

From this reading Meekly resign'd she sat, in anxious pain; He fill'd his pipe, and listen'd to the rain That batter'd furiously their strong abode, Roar'd in the Damm, and lash'd the pebbled road: When, mingling with the storm, confus'd and wild, They heard, or thought they heard, a screaming _Child_: The voice approach'd; and midst the thunder's roar, Now loudly begg'd for Mercy at the door.

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

From this reading With kind officiousness the tender Dame Rous'd up the dying embers to a flame; Dry cloaths procur'd, and cheer'd her shiv'ring guest, And sooth'd the sorrows of her infant breast.

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

From this reading But as she stript her shoulders, lily-white, What marks of cruel usage shock'd their sight!

plural of “shoulder” — the part of the body between the neck and the upper arm

From this reading But as she stript her shoulders, lily-white, What marks of cruel usage shock'd their sight!

an instance of visual perception

From this reading But as she stript her shoulders, lily-white, What marks of cruel usage shock'd their sight!

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

From this reading With kind officiousness the tender Dame Rous'd up the dying embers to a flame; Dry cloaths procur'd, and cheer'd her shiv'ring guest, And sooth'd the sorrows of her infant breast.

plural of “sorrow” — an emotion of great sadness associated with loss or bereavement

From this reading With kind officiousness the tender Dame Rous'd up the dying embers to a flame; Dry cloaths procur'd, and cheer'd her shiv'ring guest, And sooth'd the sorrows of her infant breast.

make high-pitched, whiney noises

From this reading MERCY was _there_: the Miller heard the call; His door he open'd; when a sudden squall _The Young Stranger_.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading Drove in a wretched Girl; who weeping stood, Whilst the cold rain dripp'd from her in a flood.

behave violently, as if in state of a great anger

From this reading Meekly resign'd she sat, in anxious pain; He fill'd his pipe, and listen'd to the rain That batter'd furiously their strong abode, Roar'd in the Damm, and lash'd the pebbled road: When, mingling with the storm, confus'd and wild, They heard, or thought they heard, a screaming _Child_: The voice approach'd; and midst the thunder's roar, Now loudly begg'd for Mercy at the door.

anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found

From this reading MERCY was _there_: the Miller heard the call; His door he open'd; when a sudden squall _The Young Stranger_.

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

From this reading But as she stript her shoulders, lily-white, What marks of cruel usage shock'd their sight!

having strength or power greater than average or expected

From this reading Meekly resign'd she sat, in anxious pain; He fill'd his pipe, and listen'd to the rain That batter'd furiously their strong abode, Roar'd in the Damm, and lash'd the pebbled road: When, mingling with the storm, confus'd and wild, They heard, or thought they heard, a screaming _Child_: The voice approach'd; and midst the thunder's roar, Now loudly begg'd for Mercy at the door.

happening without warning or in a short space of time

From this reading MERCY was _there_: the Miller heard the call; His door he open'd; when a sudden squall _The Young Stranger_.

given to sympathy or gentleness or sentimentality

From this reading With kind officiousness the tender Dame Rous'd up the dying embers to a flame; Dry cloaths procur'd, and cheer'd her shiv'ring guest, And sooth'd the sorrows of her infant breast.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Meekly resign'd she sat, in anxious pain; He fill'd his pipe, and listen'd to the rain That batter'd furiously their strong abode, Roar'd in the Damm, and lash'd the pebbled road: When, mingling with the storm, confus'd and wild, They heard, or thought they heard, a screaming _Child_: The voice approach'd; and midst the thunder's roar, Now loudly begg'd for Mercy at the door.

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

From this reading Meekly resign'd she sat, in anxious pain; He fill'd his pipe, and listen'd to the rain That batter'd furiously their strong abode, Roar'd in the Damm, and lash'd the pebbled road: When, mingling with the storm, confus'd and wild, They heard, or thought they heard, a screaming _Child_: The voice approach'd; and midst the thunder's roar, Now loudly begg'd for Mercy at the door.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Meekly resign'd she sat, in anxious pain; He fill'd his pipe, and listen'd to the rain That batter'd furiously their strong abode, Roar'd in the Damm, and lash'd the pebbled road: When, mingling with the storm, confus'd and wild, They heard, or thought they heard, a screaming _Child_: The voice approach'd; and midst the thunder's roar, Now loudly begg'd for Mercy at the door.

in or at that place or location

From this reading MERCY was _there_: the Miller heard the call; His door he open'd; when a sudden squall _The Young Stranger_.

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

From this reading Meekly resign'd she sat, in anxious pain; He fill'd his pipe, and listen'd to the rain That batter'd furiously their strong abode, Roar'd in the Damm, and lash'd the pebbled road: When, mingling with the storm, confus'd and wild, They heard, or thought they heard, a screaming _Child_: The voice approach'd; and midst the thunder's roar, Now loudly begg'd for Mercy at the door.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading Meekly resign'd she sat, in anxious pain; He fill'd his pipe, and listen'd to the rain That batter'd furiously their strong abode, Roar'd in the Damm, and lash'd the pebbled road: When, mingling with the storm, confus'd and wild, They heard, or thought they heard, a screaming _Child_: The voice approach'd; and midst the thunder's roar, Now loudly begg'd for Mercy at the door.

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

From this reading Meekly resign'd she sat, in anxious pain; He fill'd his pipe, and listen'd to the rain That batter'd furiously their strong abode, Roar'd in the Damm, and lash'd the pebbled road: When, mingling with the storm, confus'd and wild, They heard, or thought they heard, a screaming _Child_: The voice approach'd; and midst the thunder's roar, Now loudly begg'd for Mercy at the door.

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

From this reading Meekly resign'd she sat, in anxious pain; He fill'd his pipe, and listen'd to the rain That batter'd furiously their strong abode, Roar'd in the Damm, and lash'd the pebbled road: When, mingling with the storm, confus'd and wild, They heard, or thought they heard, a screaming _Child_: The voice approach'd; and midst the thunder's roar, Now loudly begg'd for Mercy at the door.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading With kind officiousness the tender Dame Rous'd up the dying embers to a flame; Dry cloaths procur'd, and cheer'd her shiv'ring guest, And sooth'd the sorrows of her infant breast.

the act of using

From this reading But as she stript her shoulders, lily-white, What marks of cruel usage shock'd their sight!

the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading Meekly resign'd she sat, in anxious pain; He fill'd his pipe, and listen'd to the rain That batter'd furiously their strong abode, Roar'd in the Damm, and lash'd the pebbled road: When, mingling with the storm, confus'd and wild, They heard, or thought they heard, a screaming _Child_: The voice approach'd; and midst the thunder's roar, Now loudly begg'd for Mercy at the door.

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

From this reading MERCY was _there_: the Miller heard the call; His door he open'd; when a sudden squall _The Young Stranger_.

showing sorrow

From this reading Drove in a wretched Girl; who weeping stood, Whilst the cold rain dripp'd from her in a flood.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading But as she stript her shoulders, lily-white, What marks of cruel usage shock'd their sight!

at the time that

From this reading Meekly resign'd she sat, in anxious pain; He fill'd his pipe, and listen'd to the rain That batter'd furiously their strong abode, Roar'd in the Damm, and lash'd the pebbled road: When, mingling with the storm, confus'd and wild, They heard, or thought they heard, a screaming _Child_: The voice approach'd; and midst the thunder's roar, Now loudly begg'd for Mercy at the door.

an old and formal word for “while”

From this reading Drove in a wretched Girl; who weeping stood, Whilst the cold rain dripp'd from her in a flood.

which person or people

From this reading Drove in a wretched Girl; who weeping stood, Whilst the cold rain dripp'd from her in a flood.

marked by extreme lack of restraint or control

From this reading Meekly resign'd she sat, in anxious pain; He fill'd his pipe, and listen'd to the rain That batter'd furiously their strong abode, Roar'd in the Damm, and lash'd the pebbled road: When, mingling with the storm, confus'd and wild, They heard, or thought they heard, a screaming _Child_: The voice approach'd; and midst the thunder's roar, Now loudly begg'd for Mercy at the door.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Meekly resign'd she sat, in anxious pain; He fill'd his pipe, and listen'd to the rain That batter'd furiously their strong abode, Roar'd in the Damm, and lash'd the pebbled road: When, mingling with the storm, confus'd and wild, They heard, or thought they heard, a screaming _Child_: The voice approach'd; and midst the thunder's roar, Now loudly begg'd for Mercy at the door.

of very poor quality or condition

From this reading Drove in a wretched Girl; who weeping stood, Whilst the cold rain dripp'd from her in a flood.

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

From this reading MERCY was _there_: the Miller heard the call; His door he open'd; when a sudden squall _The Young Stranger_.