used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading About a fortnight of grave quiet had followed after the joyous month that went before, with little enlivening, few interruptions.
AboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading About a fortnight of grave quiet had followed after the joyous month that went before, with little enlivening, few interruptions.
abstractverbUS /æbˈstrækt/
consider a concept without thinking of a specific example; consider abstractly or theoretically
From this reading Not so peremptorily as the roses--and yet with more assurance of welcome--Reuben Taylor knocked at the door during breakfast time; scattering the abstract musings that floated about the coffee-pot and mingled with its vapoury cloud.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading About a fortnight of grave quiet had followed after the joyous month that went before, with little enlivening, few interruptions.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading Faith and her mother sat alone at breakfast.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Faith and her mother sat alone at breakfast.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Not so peremptorily as the roses--and yet with more assurance of welcome--Reuben Taylor knocked at the door during breakfast time; scattering the abstract musings that floated about the coffee-pot and mingled with its vapoury cloud.
assurancenounUS /əˈʃʊrəns/
freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities
From this reading Not so peremptorily as the roses--and yet with more assurance of welcome--Reuben Taylor knocked at the door during breakfast time; scattering the abstract musings that floated about the coffee-pot and mingled with its vapoury cloud.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Faith and her mother sat alone at breakfast.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Without, the season had bloomed into greater luxuriance,--within, the flowers now rarely came; and Faith's flowerless dress and belt and hair, said of themselves that Mr. Linden was away.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading About a fortnight of grave quiet had followed after the joyous month that went before, with little enlivening, few interruptions.
beltnounUS /belt/
endless loop of flexible material between two rotating shafts or pulleys
From this reading Without, the season had bloomed into greater luxuriance,--within, the flowers now rarely came; and Faith's flowerless dress and belt and hair, said of themselves that Mr. Linden was away.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Roses indeed peeped through the windows, and thrust their heads between the blinds, but no one invited them in.
blindsnounUS /blaɪndz/
plural of “blind” — people who have severe visual impairments, considered as a group
From this reading Roses indeed peeped through the windows, and thrust their heads between the blinds, but no one invited them in.
bloomedverbUS /bluːmd/
past form of “bloom” — produce or yield flowers
From this reading Without, the season had bloomed into greater luxuriance,--within, the flowers now rarely came; and Faith's flowerless dress and belt and hair, said of themselves that Mr. Linden was away.
eat an early morning meal
From this reading Faith and her mother sat alone at breakfast.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Roses indeed peeped through the windows, and thrust their heads between the blinds, but no one invited them in.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Without, the season had bloomed into greater luxuriance,--within, the flowers now rarely came; and Faith's flowerless dress and belt and hair, said of themselves that Mr. Linden was away.
make overcast or cloudy
From this reading Not so peremptorily as the roses--and yet with more assurance of welcome--Reuben Taylor knocked at the door during breakfast time; scattering the abstract musings that floated about the coffee-pot and mingled with its vapoury cloud.
coffee-pot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not so peremptorily as the roses--and yet with more assurance of welcome--Reuben Taylor knocked at the door during breakfast time; scattering the abstract musings that floated about the coffee-pot and mingled with its vapoury cloud.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Not so peremptorily as the roses--and yet with more assurance of welcome--Reuben Taylor knocked at the door during breakfast time; scattering the abstract musings that floated about the coffee-pot and mingled with its vapoury cloud.
put on clothes
From this reading Without, the season had bloomed into greater luxuriance,--within, the flowers now rarely came; and Faith's flowerless dress and belt and hair, said of themselves that Mr. Linden was away.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading Not so peremptorily as the roses--and yet with more assurance of welcome--Reuben Taylor knocked at the door during breakfast time; scattering the abstract musings that floated about the coffee-pot and mingled with its vapoury cloud.
enliveningadjectiveUS /enˈlaɪvənɪŋ/
giving spirit and vivacity
From this reading About a fortnight of grave quiet had followed after the joyous month that went before, with little enlivening, few interruptions.
a strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny
From this reading Faith and her mother sat alone at breakfast.
Faith's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Without, the season had bloomed into greater luxuriance,--within, the flowers now rarely came; and Faith's flowerless dress and belt and hair, said of themselves that Mr. Linden was away.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading About a fortnight of grave quiet had followed after the joyous month that went before, with little enlivening, few interruptions.
floatedverbUS /ˈfloʊtəd/
past form of “float” — be in motion due to some air or water current
From this reading Not so peremptorily as the roses--and yet with more assurance of welcome--Reuben Taylor knocked at the door during breakfast time; scattering the abstract musings that floated about the coffee-pot and mingled with its vapoury cloud.
flowerlessadjective
without flower or bloom and not producing seeds
From this reading Without, the season had bloomed into greater luxuriance,--within, the flowers now rarely came; and Faith's flowerless dress and belt and hair, said of themselves that Mr. Linden was away.
plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms
From this reading Without, the season had bloomed into greater luxuriance,--within, the flowers now rarely came; and Faith's flowerless dress and belt and hair, said of themselves that Mr. Linden was away.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading About a fortnight of grave quiet had followed after the joyous month that went before, with little enlivening, few interruptions.
fortnightnounUS /ˈfɔːrtnaɪt/
a period of fourteen consecutive days
From this reading About a fortnight of grave quiet had followed after the joyous month that went before, with little enlivening, few interruptions.
death of a person
From this reading About a fortnight of grave quiet had followed after the joyous month that went before, with little enlivening, few interruptions.
greater in size or importance or degree
From this reading Without, the season had bloomed into greater luxuriance,--within, the flowers now rarely came; and Faith's flowerless dress and belt and hair, said of themselves that Mr. Linden was away.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading About a fortnight of grave quiet had followed after the joyous month that went before, with little enlivening, few interruptions.
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 Without, the season had bloomed into greater luxuriance,--within, the flowers now rarely came; and Faith's flowerless dress and belt and hair, said of themselves that Mr. Linden was away.
plural of “head” — the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Roses indeed peeped through the windows, and thrust their heads between the blinds, but no one invited them in.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Faith and her mother sat alone at breakfast.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Roses indeed peeped through the windows, and thrust their heads between the blinds, but no one invited them in.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading Roses indeed peeped through the windows, and thrust their heads between the blinds, but no one invited them in.
interruptionsnounUS /ˌɪntərˈʌpʃənz/
plural of “interruption” — an act of delaying or interrupting the continuity
From this reading About a fortnight of grave quiet had followed after the joyous month that went before, with little enlivening, few interruptions.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Without, the season had bloomed into greater luxuriance,--within, the flowers now rarely came; and Faith's flowerless dress and belt and hair, said of themselves that Mr. Linden was away.
past form of “invite” — increase the likelihood of
From this reading Roses indeed peeped through the windows, and thrust their heads between the blinds, but no one invited them in.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Not so peremptorily as the roses--and yet with more assurance of welcome--Reuben Taylor knocked at the door during breakfast time; scattering the abstract musings that floated about the coffee-pot and mingled with its vapoury cloud.
joyousadjectiveUS /ˈdʒɔɪəs/
full of or characterized by joy
From this reading About a fortnight of grave quiet had followed after the joyous month that went before, with little enlivening, few interruptions.
past form of “knock” — deliver a sharp blow or push
From this reading Not so peremptorily as the roses--and yet with more assurance of welcome--Reuben Taylor knocked at the door during breakfast time; scattering the abstract musings that floated about the coffee-pot and mingled with its vapoury cloud.
LindennounUS /ˈlɪndən/
soft light-colored wood of any of various linden trees; used in making crates and boxes and in carving and millwork
From this reading Without, the season had bloomed into greater luxuriance,--within, the flowers now rarely came; and Faith's flowerless dress and belt and hair, said of themselves that Mr. Linden was away.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading About a fortnight of grave quiet had followed after the joyous month that went before, with little enlivening, few interruptions.
luxuriancenoun
the property of being lush and abundant and a pleasure to the senses
From this reading Without, the season had bloomed into greater luxuriance,--within, the flowers now rarely came; and Faith's flowerless dress and belt and hair, said of themselves that Mr. Linden was away.
past form of “mingle” — to bring or combine together or with something else
From this reading Not so peremptorily as the roses--and yet with more assurance of welcome--Reuben Taylor knocked at the door during breakfast time; scattering the abstract musings that floated about the coffee-pot and mingled with its vapoury cloud.
one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading About a fortnight of grave quiet had followed after the joyous month that went before, with little enlivening, few interruptions.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Not so peremptorily as the roses--and yet with more assurance of welcome--Reuben Taylor knocked at the door during breakfast time; scattering the abstract musings that floated about the coffee-pot and mingled with its vapoury cloud.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading Faith and her mother sat alone at breakfast.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Without, the season had bloomed into greater luxuriance,--within, the flowers now rarely came; and Faith's flowerless dress and belt and hair, said of themselves that Mr. Linden was away.
musingsnounUS /ˈmjuːzɪŋz/
plural of “musing” — a calm, lengthy, intent consideration
From this reading Not so peremptorily as the roses--and yet with more assurance of welcome--Reuben Taylor knocked at the door during breakfast time; scattering the abstract musings that floated about the coffee-pot and mingled with its vapoury cloud.
not any; not one
From this reading Roses indeed peeped through the windows, and thrust their heads between the blinds, but no one invited them in.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Not so peremptorily as the roses--and yet with more assurance of welcome--Reuben Taylor knocked at the door during breakfast time; scattering the abstract musings that floated about the coffee-pot and mingled with its vapoury cloud.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Without, the season had bloomed into greater luxuriance,--within, the flowers now rarely came; and Faith's flowerless dress and belt and hair, said of themselves that Mr. Linden was away.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading About a fortnight of grave quiet had followed after the joyous month that went before, with little enlivening, few interruptions.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Roses indeed peeped through the windows, and thrust their heads between the blinds, but no one invited them in.
peepedverbUS /piːpt/
past form of “peep” — look furtively
From this reading Roses indeed peeped through the windows, and thrust their heads between the blinds, but no one invited them in.
peremptorilyadverb
in an imperative and commanding manner
From this reading Not so peremptorily as the roses--and yet with more assurance of welcome--Reuben Taylor knocked at the door during breakfast time; scattering the abstract musings that floated about the coffee-pot and mingled with its vapoury cloud.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading About a fortnight of grave quiet had followed after the joyous month that went before, with little enlivening, few interruptions.
rarelyadverbUS /ˈrerli/
not often
From this reading Without, the season had bloomed into greater luxuriance,--within, the flowers now rarely came; and Faith's flowerless dress and belt and hair, said of themselves that Mr. Linden was away.
ReubennounUS /ˈruːbən/
(Old Testment) a son of Jacob and forefather of one of the tribes of Israel
From this reading Not so peremptorily as the roses--and yet with more assurance of welcome--Reuben Taylor knocked at the door during breakfast time; scattering the abstract musings that floated about the coffee-pot and mingled with its vapoury cloud.
plural of “rose” — any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading Roses indeed peeped through the windows, and thrust their heads between the blinds, but no one invited them in.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading Without, the season had bloomed into greater luxuriance,--within, the flowers now rarely came; and Faith's flowerless dress and belt and hair, said of themselves that Mr. Linden was away.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Faith and her mother sat alone at breakfast.
scatteringnounUS /ˈskætərɪŋ/
a small number (of something) dispersed haphazardly
From this reading Not so peremptorily as the roses--and yet with more assurance of welcome--Reuben Taylor knocked at the door during breakfast time; scattering the abstract musings that floated about the coffee-pot and mingled with its vapoury cloud.
a period of the year marked by special events or activities in some field
From this reading Without, the season had bloomed into greater luxuriance,--within, the flowers now rarely came; and Faith's flowerless dress and belt and hair, said of themselves that Mr. Linden was away.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Not so peremptorily as the roses--and yet with more assurance of welcome--Reuben Taylor knocked at the door during breakfast time; scattering the abstract musings that floated about the coffee-pot and mingled with its vapoury cloud.
TaylornounUS /ˈteɪlər/
United States composer and music critic (1885-1966)
From this reading Not so peremptorily as the roses--and yet with more assurance of welcome--Reuben Taylor knocked at the door during breakfast time; scattering the abstract musings that floated about the coffee-pot and mingled with its vapoury cloud.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading About a fortnight of grave quiet had followed after the joyous month that went before, with little enlivening, few interruptions.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading About a fortnight of grave quiet had followed after the joyous month that went before, with little enlivening, few interruptions.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Roses indeed peeped through the windows, and thrust their heads between the blinds, but no one invited them in.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Roses indeed peeped through the windows, and thrust their heads between the blinds, but no one invited them in.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading Without, the season had bloomed into greater luxuriance,--within, the flowers now rarely came; and Faith's flowerless dress and belt and hair, said of themselves that Mr. Linden was away.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Roses indeed peeped through the windows, and thrust their heads between the blinds, but no one invited them in.
push forcefully
From this reading Roses indeed peeped through the windows, and thrust their heads between the blinds, but no one invited them in.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Not so peremptorily as the roses--and yet with more assurance of welcome--Reuben Taylor knocked at the door during breakfast time; scattering the abstract musings that floated about the coffee-pot and mingled with its vapoury cloud.
vapoury
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not so peremptorily as the roses--and yet with more assurance of welcome--Reuben Taylor knocked at the door during breakfast time; scattering the abstract musings that floated about the coffee-pot and mingled with its vapoury cloud.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Without, the season had bloomed into greater luxuriance,--within, the flowers now rarely came; and Faith's flowerless dress and belt and hair, said of themselves that Mr. Linden was away.
accept gladly
From this reading Not so peremptorily as the roses--and yet with more assurance of welcome--Reuben Taylor knocked at the door during breakfast time; scattering the abstract musings that floated about the coffee-pot and mingled with its vapoury cloud.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading About a fortnight of grave quiet had followed after the joyous month that went before, with little enlivening, few interruptions.
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading Roses indeed peeped through the windows, and thrust their heads between the blinds, but no one invited them in.
in the company of; together with
From this reading About a fortnight of grave quiet had followed after the joyous month that went before, with little enlivening, few interruptions.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading Without, the season had bloomed into greater luxuriance,--within, the flowers now rarely came; and Faith's flowerless dress and belt and hair, said of themselves that Mr. Linden was away.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Without, the season had bloomed into greater luxuriance,--within, the flowers now rarely came; and Faith's flowerless dress and belt and hair, said of themselves that Mr. Linden was away.
but in spite of that
From this reading Not so peremptorily as the roses--and yet with more assurance of welcome--Reuben Taylor knocked at the door during breakfast time; scattering the abstract musings that floated about the coffee-pot and mingled with its vapoury cloud.
