used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Yes, she had danced--like a child that hears good news or runs to meet its father--and he had thought her worthy of his love!
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading ON DEMAND If there was anything left of his mill but the frame, Wiley's ears had played him false; and yet he stood and looked after Virginia.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading ON DEMAND If there was anything left of his mill but the frame, Wiley's ears had played him false; and yet he stood and looked after Virginia.
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading He had battered his brain for weeks to devise some plan whereby he could make his peace; he had taken her blows like a dog; and she had answered with this.
any thing at all
From this reading ON DEMAND If there was anything left of his mill but the frame, Wiley's ears had played him false; and yet he stood and looked after Virginia.
batteredadjectiveUS /ˈbætərd/
damaged by blows or hard usage
From this reading He had battered his brain for weeks to devise some plan whereby he could make his peace; he had taken her blows like a dog; and she had answered with this.
blowsnounUS /bloʊz/
plural of “blow” — a powerful stroke with the fist or a weapon
From this reading He had battered his brain for weeks to devise some plan whereby he could make his peace; he had taken her blows like a dog; and she had answered with this.
the two together, not just one
From this reading Whether it was Stiff Neck George or some other man, she had known both his presence and his purpose; and now she rejoiced in the catastrophe.
that part of the central nervous system that includes all the higher nervous centers; enclosed within the skull; continuous with the spinal cord
From this reading He had battered his brain for weeks to devise some plan whereby he could make his peace; he had taken her blows like a dog; and she had answered with this.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading ON DEMAND If there was anything left of his mill but the frame, Wiley's ears had played him false; and yet he stood and looked after Virginia.
catastrophenounUS /kəˈtæstrəfi/
an event resulting in great loss and misfortune
From this reading Whether it was Stiff Neck George or some other man, she had known both his presence and his purpose; and now she rejoiced in the catastrophe.
a young person of either sex
From this reading Yes, she had danced--like a child that hears good news or runs to meet its father--and he had thought her worthy of his love!
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He had battered his brain for weeks to devise some plan whereby he could make his peace; he had taken her blows like a dog; and she had answered with this.
crashverbUS /kræʃ/
fall or come down violently
From this reading This grinding crash, this pandemonium of destruction which had left him sick with fear, had put joy into her dancing feet.
past form of “dance” — move in a graceful and rhythmical way
From this reading Yes, she had danced--like a child that hears good news or runs to meet its father--and he had thought her worthy of his love!
taking a series of rhythmical steps (and movements) in time to music
From this reading This grinding crash, this pandemonium of destruction which had left him sick with fear, had put joy into her dancing feet.
an urgent or peremptory request
From this reading ON DEMAND If there was anything left of his mill but the frame, Wiley's ears had played him false; and yet he stood and looked after Virginia.
the termination of something by causing so much damage to it that it cannot be repaired or no longer exists
From this reading This grinding crash, this pandemonium of destruction which had left him sick with fear, had put joy into her dancing feet.
deviseverbUS /dɪˈvaɪz/
come up with (an idea, plan, explanation, theory, or principle) after a mental effort
From this reading He had battered his brain for weeks to devise some plan whereby he could make his peace; he had taken her blows like a dog; and she had answered with this.
a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds
From this reading He had battered his brain for weeks to devise some plan whereby he could make his peace; he had taken her blows like a dog; and she had answered with this.
plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading ON DEMAND If there was anything left of his mill but the frame, Wiley's ears had played him false; and yet he stood and looked after Virginia.
not in accordance with the fact or reality or actuality
From this reading ON DEMAND If there was anything left of his mill but the frame, Wiley's ears had played him false; and yet he stood and looked after Virginia.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading Yes, she had danced--like a child that hears good news or runs to meet its father--and he had thought her worthy of his love!
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading This grinding crash, this pandemonium of destruction which had left him sick with fear, had put joy into her dancing feet.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading This grinding crash, this pandemonium of destruction which had left him sick with fear, had put joy into her dancing feet.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He had battered his brain for weeks to devise some plan whereby he could make his peace; he had taken her blows like a dog; and she had answered with this.
enclose in or as if in a frame
From this reading ON DEMAND If there was anything left of his mill but the frame, Wiley's ears had played him false; and yet he stood and looked after Virginia.
Christian martyr; patron saint of England; hero of the legend of Saint George and the Dragon in which he slew a dragon and saved a princess (?-303)
From this reading Whether it was Stiff Neck George or some other man, she had known both his presence and his purpose; and now she rejoiced in the catastrophe.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading Yes, she had danced--like a child that hears good news or runs to meet its father--and he had thought her worthy of his love!
grindingnounUS /ˈɡraɪndɪŋ/
material resulting from the process of grinding
From this reading This grinding crash, this pandemonium of destruction which had left him sick with fear, had put joy into her dancing feet.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading ON DEMAND If there was anything left of his mill but the frame, Wiley's ears had played him false; and yet he stood and looked after Virginia.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading ON DEMAND If there was anything left of his mill but the frame, Wiley's ears had played him false; and yet he stood and looked after Virginia.
hearsverbUS /hiːrz/
third-person singular of “hear” — perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading Yes, she had danced--like a child that hears good news or runs to meet its father--and he had thought her worthy of his love!
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading This grinding crash, this pandemonium of destruction which had left him sick with fear, had put joy into her dancing feet.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading ON DEMAND If there was anything left of his mill but the frame, Wiley's ears had played him false; and yet he stood and looked after Virginia.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading ON DEMAND If there was anything left of his mill but the frame, Wiley's ears had played him false; and yet he stood and looked after Virginia.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading ON DEMAND If there was anything left of his mill but the frame, Wiley's ears had played him false; and yet he stood and looked after Virginia.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Whether it was Stiff Neck George or some other man, she had known both his presence and his purpose; and now she rejoiced in the catastrophe.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading This grinding crash, this pandemonium of destruction which had left him sick with fear, had put joy into her dancing feet.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Whether it was Stiff Neck George or some other man, she had known both his presence and his purpose; and now she rejoiced in the catastrophe.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Yes, she had danced--like a child that hears good news or runs to meet its father--and he had thought her worthy of his love!
the emotion of great happiness
From this reading This grinding crash, this pandemonium of destruction which had left him sick with fear, had put joy into her dancing feet.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading Whether it was Stiff Neck George or some other man, she had known both his presence and his purpose; and now she rejoiced in the catastrophe.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading ON DEMAND If there was anything left of his mill but the frame, Wiley's ears had played him false; and yet he stood and looked after Virginia.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Yes, she had danced--like a child that hears good news or runs to meet its father--and he had thought her worthy of his love!
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading ON DEMAND If there was anything left of his mill but the frame, Wiley's ears had played him false; and yet he stood and looked after Virginia.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading Yes, she had danced--like a child that hears good news or runs to meet its father--and he had thought her worthy of his love!
engage in
From this reading He had battered his brain for weeks to devise some plan whereby he could make his peace; he had taken her blows like a dog; and she had answered with this.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Whether it was Stiff Neck George or some other man, she had known both his presence and his purpose; and now she rejoiced in the catastrophe.
come together
From this reading Yes, she had danced--like a child that hears good news or runs to meet its father--and he had thought her worthy of his love!
millverbUS /mɪl/
move about in a confused manner
From this reading ON DEMAND If there was anything left of his mill but the frame, Wiley's ears had played him false; and yet he stood and looked after Virginia.
the part of an organism (human or animal) that connects the head to the rest of the body
From this reading Whether it was Stiff Neck George or some other man, she had known both his presence and his purpose; and now she rejoiced in the catastrophe.
information about recent and important events
From this reading Yes, she had danced--like a child that hears good news or runs to meet its father--and he had thought her worthy of his love!
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Whether it was Stiff Neck George or some other man, she had known both his presence and his purpose; and now she rejoiced in the catastrophe.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading ON DEMAND If there was anything left of his mill but the frame, Wiley's ears had played him false; and yet he stood and looked after Virginia.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading ON DEMAND If there was anything left of his mill but the frame, Wiley's ears had played him false; and yet he stood and looked after Virginia.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Yes, she had danced--like a child that hears good news or runs to meet its father--and he had thought her worthy of his love!
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Whether it was Stiff Neck George or some other man, she had known both his presence and his purpose; and now she rejoiced in the catastrophe.
pandemoniumnounUS /ˌpændɪˈmoʊniəm/
a state of extreme confusion and disorder
From this reading This grinding crash, this pandemonium of destruction which had left him sick with fear, had put joy into her dancing feet.
the state prevailing during the absence of war
From this reading He had battered his brain for weeks to devise some plan whereby he could make his peace; he had taken her blows like a dog; and she had answered with this.
have the will and intention to carry out some action
From this reading He had battered his brain for weeks to devise some plan whereby he could make his peace; he had taken her blows like a dog; and she had answered with this.
(of games) engaged in
From this reading ON DEMAND If there was anything left of his mill but the frame, Wiley's ears had played him false; and yet he stood and looked after Virginia.
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading Whether it was Stiff Neck George or some other man, she had known both his presence and his purpose; and now she rejoiced in the catastrophe.
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading Whether it was Stiff Neck George or some other man, she had known both his presence and his purpose; and now she rejoiced in the catastrophe.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading This grinding crash, this pandemonium of destruction which had left him sick with fear, had put joy into her dancing feet.
rejoicedverbUS /rɪˈdʒɔɪst/
past form of “rejoice” — feel happiness or joy
From this reading Whether it was Stiff Neck George or some other man, she had known both his presence and his purpose; and now she rejoiced in the catastrophe.
plural of “run” — a score in baseball made by a runner touching all four bases safely
From this reading Yes, she had danced--like a child that hears good news or runs to meet its father--and he had thought her worthy of his love!
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Yes, she had danced--like a child that hears good news or runs to meet its father--and he had thought her worthy of his love!
affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function
From this reading This grinding crash, this pandemonium of destruction which had left him sick with fear, had put joy into her dancing feet.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading He had battered his brain for weeks to devise some plan whereby he could make his peace; he had taken her blows like a dog; and she had answered with this.
not moving or operating freely
From this reading Whether it was Stiff Neck George or some other man, she had known both his presence and his purpose; and now she rejoiced in the catastrophe.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading ON DEMAND If there was anything left of his mill but the frame, Wiley's ears had played him false; and yet he stood and looked after Virginia.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading He had battered his brain for weeks to devise some plan whereby he could make his peace; he had taken her blows like a dog; and she had answered with this.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Yes, she had danced--like a child that hears good news or runs to meet its father--and he had thought her worthy of his love!
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ON DEMAND If there was anything left of his mill but the frame, Wiley's ears had played him false; and yet he stood and looked after Virginia.
in or at that place or location
From this reading ON DEMAND If there was anything left of his mill but the frame, Wiley's ears had played him false; and yet he stood and looked after Virginia.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This grinding crash, this pandemonium of destruction which had left him sick with fear, had put joy into her dancing feet.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Yes, she had danced--like a child that hears good news or runs to meet its father--and he had thought her worthy of his love!
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Yes, she had danced--like a child that hears good news or runs to meet its father--and he had thought her worthy of his love!
VirginianounUS /vərˈdʒɪnjə/
a state in the eastern United States; one of the original 13 colonies; one of the Confederate States in the American Civil War
From this reading ON DEMAND If there was anything left of his mill but the frame, Wiley's ears had played him false; and yet he stood and looked after Virginia.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading ON DEMAND If there was anything left of his mill but the frame, Wiley's ears had played him false; and yet he stood and looked after Virginia.
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading He had battered his brain for weeks to devise some plan whereby he could make his peace; he had taken her blows like a dog; and she had answered with this.
whereby
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had battered his brain for weeks to devise some plan whereby he could make his peace; he had taken her blows like a dog; and she had answered with this.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading Whether it was Stiff Neck George or some other man, she had known both his presence and his purpose; and now she rejoiced in the catastrophe.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading This grinding crash, this pandemonium of destruction which had left him sick with fear, had put joy into her dancing feet.
Wiley's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ON DEMAND If there was anything left of his mill but the frame, Wiley's ears had played him false; and yet he stood and looked after Virginia.
in the company of; together with
From this reading This grinding crash, this pandemonium of destruction which had left him sick with fear, had put joy into her dancing feet.
Having or showing the qualities or abilities that merit recognition in character or magic.
From this reading Yes, she had danced--like a child that hears good news or runs to meet its father--and he had thought her worthy of his love!
an affirmative
From this reading Yes, she had danced--like a child that hears good news or runs to meet its father--and he had thought her worthy of his love!
but in spite of that
From this reading ON DEMAND If there was anything left of his mill but the frame, Wiley's ears had played him false; and yet he stood and looked after Virginia.
