used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading When Laura was restored to recollection, she found herself in a plain decent apartment.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading An elderly woman, of a prepossessing appearance, answered with almost maternal kindness, 'that she was among friends all anxious for her safety; begged that she would try to sleep; and promised to satisfy her curiosity when she should be more able to converse.'
administeredverbUS /ədˈmɪnəstərd/
past form of “administer” — work in an administrative capacity; supervise or be in charge of
From this reading This benevolent person, whose name was Falkland, then administered a restorative to her patient; and Laura, uttering almost incoherent expressions of gratitude, composed herself to rest.
(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 An elderly woman, of a prepossessing appearance, answered with almost maternal kindness, 'that she was among friends all anxious for her safety; begged that she would try to sleep; and promised to satisfy her curiosity when she should be more able to converse.'
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading An elderly woman, of a prepossessing appearance, answered with almost maternal kindness, 'that she was among friends all anxious for her safety; begged that she would try to sleep; and promised to satisfy her curiosity when she should be more able to converse.'
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading An elderly woman, of a prepossessing appearance, answered with almost maternal kindness, 'that she was among friends all anxious for her safety; begged that she would try to sleep; and promised to satisfy her curiosity when she should be more able to converse.'
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading An elderly woman, of a prepossessing appearance, answered with almost maternal kindness, 'that she was among friends all anxious for her safety; begged that she would try to sleep; and promised to satisfy her curiosity when she should be more able to converse.'
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Her mind retaining a confused remembrance of the past, she inquired where she was, and how she had been brought thither.
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading An elderly woman, of a prepossessing appearance, answered with almost maternal kindness, 'that she was among friends all anxious for her safety; begged that she would try to sleep; and promised to satisfy her curiosity when she should be more able to converse.'
eagerly desirous
From this reading An elderly woman, of a prepossessing appearance, answered with almost maternal kindness, 'that she was among friends all anxious for her safety; begged that she would try to sleep; and promised to satisfy her curiosity when she should be more able to converse.'
a suite of rooms usually on one floor of an apartment house
From this reading When Laura was restored to recollection, she found herself in a plain decent apartment.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading An elderly woman, of a prepossessing appearance, answered with almost maternal kindness, 'that she was among friends all anxious for her safety; begged that she would try to sleep; and promised to satisfy her curiosity when she should be more able to converse.'
attendingnounUS /əˈtendɪŋ/
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading Several persons of her own sex were humanely busied in attending her.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading An elderly woman, of a prepossessing appearance, answered with almost maternal kindness, 'that she was among friends all anxious for her safety; begged that she would try to sleep; and promised to satisfy her curiosity when she should be more able to converse.'
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Her mind retaining a confused remembrance of the past, she inquired where she was, and how she had been brought thither.
inflected form of “beg” — call upon in supplication; entreat
From this reading An elderly woman, of a prepossessing appearance, answered with almost maternal kindness, 'that she was among friends all anxious for her safety; begged that she would try to sleep; and promised to satisfy her curiosity when she should be more able to converse.'
benevolentadjectiveUS /bəˈnevələnt/
intending or showing kindness
From this reading This benevolent person, whose name was Falkland, then administered a restorative to her patient; and Laura, uttering almost incoherent expressions of gratitude, composed herself to rest.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading Her mind retaining a confused remembrance of the past, she inquired where she was, and how she had been brought thither.
busiedverbUS /ˈbɪzid/
inflected form of “busy” — keep busy with
From this reading Several persons of her own sex were humanely busied in attending her.
serenely self-possessed and free from agitation especially in times of stress
From this reading This benevolent person, whose name was Falkland, then administered a restorative to her patient; and Laura, uttering almost incoherent expressions of gratitude, composed herself to rest.
perplexed by many conflicting situations or statements; filled with bewilderment
From this reading Her mind retaining a confused remembrance of the past, she inquired where she was, and how she had been brought thither.
converseverbUS /ˈkɑːnvərs/
carry on a conversation
From this reading An elderly woman, of a prepossessing appearance, answered with almost maternal kindness, 'that she was among friends all anxious for her safety; begged that she would try to sleep; and promised to satisfy her curiosity when she should be more able to converse.'
a state in which you want to learn more about something
From this reading An elderly woman, of a prepossessing appearance, answered with almost maternal kindness, 'that she was among friends all anxious for her safety; begged that she would try to sleep; and promised to satisfy her curiosity when she should be more able to converse.'
decentadjectiveUS /ˈdiːsənt/
socially or conventionally correct; refined or virtuous
From this reading When Laura was restored to recollection, she found herself in a plain decent apartment.
elderlyadjectiveUS /ˈeldərli/
advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)
From this reading An elderly woman, of a prepossessing appearance, answered with almost maternal kindness, 'that she was among friends all anxious for her safety; begged that she would try to sleep; and promised to satisfy her curiosity when she should be more able to converse.'
expressionsnounUS /ɪkˈspreʃənz/
plural of “expression” — the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading This benevolent person, whose name was Falkland, then administered a restorative to her patient; and Laura, uttering almost incoherent expressions of gratitude, composed herself to rest.
Falkland
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This benevolent person, whose name was Falkland, then administered a restorative to her patient; and Laura, uttering almost incoherent expressions of gratitude, composed herself to rest.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading An elderly woman, of a prepossessing appearance, answered with almost maternal kindness, 'that she was among friends all anxious for her safety; begged that she would try to sleep; and promised to satisfy her curiosity when she should be more able to converse.'
set up or found
From this reading When Laura was restored to recollection, she found herself in a plain decent apartment.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading An elderly woman, of a prepossessing appearance, answered with almost maternal kindness, 'that she was among friends all anxious for her safety; begged that she would try to sleep; and promised to satisfy her curiosity when she should be more able to converse.'
a feeling of thankfulness and appreciation
From this reading This benevolent person, whose name was Falkland, then administered a restorative to her patient; and Laura, uttering almost incoherent expressions of gratitude, composed herself to rest.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Her mind retaining a confused remembrance of the past, she inquired where she was, and how she had been brought thither.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Several persons of her own sex were humanely busied in attending her.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading When Laura was restored to recollection, she found herself in a plain decent apartment.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her mind retaining a confused remembrance of the past, she inquired where she was, and how she had been brought thither.
humanelyadverbUS /hjuːˈmeɪnli/
in a humane manner
From this reading Several persons of her own sex were humanely busied in attending her.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading When Laura was restored to recollection, she found herself in a plain decent apartment.
incoherentadjectiveUS /ˌɪnkoʊˈhɪrənt/
without logical or meaningful connection
From this reading This benevolent person, whose name was Falkland, then administered a restorative to her patient; and Laura, uttering almost incoherent expressions of gratitude, composed herself to rest.
past form of “inquire” — address a question to and expect an answer from
From this reading Her mind retaining a confused remembrance of the past, she inquired where she was, and how she had been brought thither.
the quality of being warmhearted and considerate and humane and sympathetic
From this reading An elderly woman, of a prepossessing appearance, answered with almost maternal kindness, 'that she was among friends all anxious for her safety; begged that she would try to sleep; and promised to satisfy her curiosity when she should be more able to converse.'
Laura
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Laura was restored to recollection, she found herself in a plain decent apartment.
maternaladjectiveUS /məˈtɜːrnəl/
characteristic of a mother
From this reading An elderly woman, of a prepossessing appearance, answered with almost maternal kindness, 'that she was among friends all anxious for her safety; begged that she would try to sleep; and promised to satisfy her curiosity when she should be more able to converse.'
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading Her mind retaining a confused remembrance of the past, she inquired where she was, and how she had been brought thither.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading An elderly woman, of a prepossessing appearance, answered with almost maternal kindness, 'that she was among friends all anxious for her safety; begged that she would try to sleep; and promised to satisfy her curiosity when she should be more able to converse.'
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading This benevolent person, whose name was Falkland, then administered a restorative to her patient; and Laura, uttering almost incoherent expressions of gratitude, composed herself to rest.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Several persons of her own sex were humanely busied in attending her.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Several persons of her own sex were humanely busied in attending her.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading Her mind retaining a confused remembrance of the past, she inquired where she was, and how she had been brought thither.
a person who requires medical care
From this reading This benevolent person, whose name was Falkland, then administered a restorative to her patient; and Laura, uttering almost incoherent expressions of gratitude, composed herself to rest.
a human being
From this reading This benevolent person, whose name was Falkland, then administered a restorative to her patient; and Laura, uttering almost incoherent expressions of gratitude, composed herself to rest.
plural of “person” — a human being
From this reading Several persons of her own sex were humanely busied in attending her.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading When Laura was restored to recollection, she found herself in a plain decent apartment.
prepossessingadjective
creating a favorable impression
From this reading An elderly woman, of a prepossessing appearance, answered with almost maternal kindness, 'that she was among friends all anxious for her safety; begged that she would try to sleep; and promised to satisfy her curiosity when she should be more able to converse.'
past form of “promise” — make a promise or commitment
From this reading An elderly woman, of a prepossessing appearance, answered with almost maternal kindness, 'that she was among friends all anxious for her safety; begged that she would try to sleep; and promised to satisfy her curiosity when she should be more able to converse.'
recollectionnounUS /ˌrekəˈlekʃən/
the ability to recall past occurrences
From this reading When Laura was restored to recollection, she found herself in a plain decent apartment.
remembrancenounUS /riˈmembrəns/
the ability to recall past occurrences
From this reading Her mind retaining a confused remembrance of the past, she inquired where she was, and how she had been brought thither.
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading This benevolent person, whose name was Falkland, then administered a restorative to her patient; and Laura, uttering almost incoherent expressions of gratitude, composed herself to rest.
restorativenounUS /rəˈstɔːrətɪv/
a medicine that strengthens and invigorates
From this reading This benevolent person, whose name was Falkland, then administered a restorative to her patient; and Laura, uttering almost incoherent expressions of gratitude, composed herself to rest.
restoredverbUS /rɪˈstɔːrd/
past form of “restore” — return to its original or usable and functioning condition
From this reading When Laura was restored to recollection, she found herself in a plain decent apartment.
retainingverbUS /rɪˈteɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “retain” — hold back within
From this reading Her mind retaining a confused remembrance of the past, she inquired where she was, and how she had been brought thither.
the state of being certain that adverse effects will not be caused by some agent under defined conditions
From this reading An elderly woman, of a prepossessing appearance, answered with almost maternal kindness, 'that she was among friends all anxious for her safety; begged that she would try to sleep; and promised to satisfy her curiosity when she should be more able to converse.'
satisfyverbUS /ˈsætəsfaɪ/
meet the requirements or expectations of
From this reading An elderly woman, of a prepossessing appearance, answered with almost maternal kindness, 'that she was among friends all anxious for her safety; begged that she would try to sleep; and promised to satisfy her curiosity when she should be more able to converse.'
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading Several persons of her own sex were humanely busied in attending her.
activities associated with sexual intercourse
From this reading Several persons of her own sex were humanely busied in attending her.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When Laura was restored to recollection, she found herself in a plain decent apartment.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading An elderly woman, of a prepossessing appearance, answered with almost maternal kindness, 'that she was among friends all anxious for her safety; begged that she would try to sleep; and promised to satisfy her curiosity when she should be more able to converse.'
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading An elderly woman, of a prepossessing appearance, answered with almost maternal kindness, 'that she was among friends all anxious for her safety; begged that she would try to sleep; and promised to satisfy her curiosity when she should be more able to converse.'
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading An elderly woman, of a prepossessing appearance, answered with almost maternal kindness, 'that she was among friends all anxious for her safety; begged that she would try to sleep; and promised to satisfy her curiosity when she should be more able to converse.'
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Her mind retaining a confused remembrance of the past, she inquired where she was, and how she had been brought thither.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading This benevolent person, whose name was Falkland, then administered a restorative to her patient; and Laura, uttering almost incoherent expressions of gratitude, composed herself to rest.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This benevolent person, whose name was Falkland, then administered a restorative to her patient; and Laura, uttering almost incoherent expressions of gratitude, composed herself to rest.
thitheradverbUS /ˈðɪθɜːr/
an old word meaning “to that place”
From this reading Her mind retaining a confused remembrance of the past, she inquired where she was, and how she had been brought thither.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When Laura was restored to recollection, she found herself in a plain decent apartment.
make an effort or attempt
From this reading An elderly woman, of a prepossessing appearance, answered with almost maternal kindness, 'that she was among friends all anxious for her safety; begged that she would try to sleep; and promised to satisfy her curiosity when she should be more able to converse.'
utteringverbUS /ˈʌtərɪŋ/
-ing form of “utter” — articulate; either verbally or with a cry, shout, or noise
From this reading This benevolent person, whose name was Falkland, then administered a restorative to her patient; and Laura, uttering almost incoherent expressions of gratitude, composed herself to rest.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When Laura was restored to recollection, she found herself in a plain decent apartment.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Several persons of her own sex were humanely busied in attending her.
at the time that
From this reading When Laura was restored to recollection, she found herself in a plain decent apartment.
in or at the place that
From this reading Her mind retaining a confused remembrance of the past, she inquired where she was, and how she had been brought thither.
belonging to which person
From this reading This benevolent person, whose name was Falkland, then administered a restorative to her patient; and Laura, uttering almost incoherent expressions of gratitude, composed herself to rest.
in the company of; together with
From this reading An elderly woman, of a prepossessing appearance, answered with almost maternal kindness, 'that she was among friends all anxious for her safety; begged that she would try to sleep; and promised to satisfy her curiosity when she should be more able to converse.'
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading An elderly woman, of a prepossessing appearance, answered with almost maternal kindness, 'that she was among friends all anxious for her safety; begged that she would try to sleep; and promised to satisfy her curiosity when she should be more able to converse.'
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading An elderly woman, of a prepossessing appearance, answered with almost maternal kindness, 'that she was among friends all anxious for her safety; begged that she would try to sleep; and promised to satisfy her curiosity when she should be more able to converse.'
