used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE TEETH OF A MAN Doña Carlota, cousin of Don Abrahan, kept her candle burning late that night.
Abrahan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE TEETH OF A MAN Doña Carlota, cousin of Don Abrahan, kept her candle burning late that night.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading She was as round and fat as an old hen pigeon, small in the face, her chin merged into her neck, her black hair pulled rigorously back from her shallow forehead in what seemed an attempt to give sternness to a countenance that had no more severity in it than a cake.
anchornounUS /ˈæŋkər/
a mechanical device that prevents a vessel from moving
From this reading There was a weight of trouble upon the breast of Doña Carlota that night, a haven broad enough to harbor many troubles, yet in which few had come to anchor in her placid years.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading With crochet needle and fine silk thread she worked upon the mantilla that had employed her fingers many months, and would so employ them until the ripening of grapes.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading She drew the drapery of her chamber window aside to show that the house was awake, herself seated discreetly out of sight of any passing eye.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading She was as round and fat as an old hen pigeon, small in the face, her chin merged into her neck, her black hair pulled rigorously back from her shallow forehead in what seemed an attempt to give sternness to a countenance that had no more severity in it than a cake.
on or to one side
From this reading She drew the drapery of her chamber window aside to show that the house was awake, herself seated discreetly out of sight of any passing eye.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading She was as round and fat as an old hen pigeon, small in the face, her chin merged into her neck, her black hair pulled rigorously back from her shallow forehead in what seemed an attempt to give sternness to a countenance that had no more severity in it than a cake.
awakeadjectiveUS /əˈweɪk/
not in a state of sleep; completely conscious
From this reading She drew the drapery of her chamber window aside to show that the house was awake, herself seated discreetly out of sight of any passing eye.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading She was as round and fat as an old hen pigeon, small in the face, her chin merged into her neck, her black hair pulled rigorously back from her shallow forehead in what seemed an attempt to give sternness to a countenance that had no more severity in it than a cake.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading She was as round and fat as an old hen pigeon, small in the face, her chin merged into her neck, her black hair pulled rigorously back from her shallow forehead in what seemed an attempt to give sternness to a countenance that had no more severity in it than a cake.
the front of the trunk from the neck to the abdomen
From this reading There was a weight of trouble upon the breast of Doña Carlota that night, a haven broad enough to harbor many troubles, yet in which few had come to anchor in her placid years.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading There was a weight of trouble upon the breast of Doña Carlota that night, a haven broad enough to harbor many troubles, yet in which few had come to anchor in her placid years.
the act of burning something
From this reading THE TEETH OF A MAN Doña Carlota, cousin of Don Abrahan, kept her candle burning late that night.
cakenounUS /keɪk/
a block of solid substance (such as soap or wax)
From this reading She was as round and fat as an old hen pigeon, small in the face, her chin merged into her neck, her black hair pulled rigorously back from her shallow forehead in what seemed an attempt to give sternness to a countenance that had no more severity in it than a cake.
stick of wax with a wick in the middle
From this reading THE TEETH OF A MAN Doña Carlota, cousin of Don Abrahan, kept her candle burning late that night.
Carlota
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE TEETH OF A MAN Doña Carlota, cousin of Don Abrahan, kept her candle burning late that night.
a natural or artificial enclosed space
From this reading She drew the drapery of her chamber window aside to show that the house was awake, herself seated discreetly out of sight of any passing eye.
the protruding part of the lower jaw
From this reading She was as round and fat as an old hen pigeon, small in the face, her chin merged into her neck, her black hair pulled rigorously back from her shallow forehead in what seemed an attempt to give sternness to a countenance that had no more severity in it than a cake.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading There was a weight of trouble upon the breast of Doña Carlota that night, a haven broad enough to harbor many troubles, yet in which few had come to anchor in her placid years.
the appearance conveyed by a person's face
From this reading She was as round and fat as an old hen pigeon, small in the face, her chin merged into her neck, her black hair pulled rigorously back from her shallow forehead in what seemed an attempt to give sternness to a countenance that had no more severity in it than a cake.
the child of your aunt or uncle
From this reading THE TEETH OF A MAN Doña Carlota, cousin of Don Abrahan, kept her candle burning late that night.
crochetverbUS /kroʊˈʃeɪ/
create by looping or crocheting
From this reading With crochet needle and fine silk thread she worked upon the mantilla that had employed her fingers many months, and would so employ them until the ripening of grapes.
discreetlyadverbUS /dɪˈskriːtli/
with discretion; prudently and with wise self-restraint
From this reading She drew the drapery of her chamber window aside to show that the house was awake, herself seated discreetly out of sight of any passing eye.
a Spanish gentleman or nobleman
From this reading THE TEETH OF A MAN Doña Carlota, cousin of Don Abrahan, kept her candle burning late that night.
Doña
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE TEETH OF A MAN Doña Carlota, cousin of Don Abrahan, kept her candle burning late that night.
draperynounUS /ˈdreɪpəri/
hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)
From this reading She drew the drapery of her chamber window aside to show that the house was awake, herself seated discreetly out of sight of any passing eye.
United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)
From this reading She drew the drapery of her chamber window aside to show that the house was awake, herself seated discreetly out of sight of any passing eye.
employverbUS /emˈplɔɪ/
put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose
From this reading With crochet needle and fine silk thread she worked upon the mantilla that had employed her fingers many months, and would so employ them until the ripening of grapes.
having your services engaged for; or having a job especially one that pays wages or a salary
From this reading With crochet needle and fine silk thread she worked upon the mantilla that had employed her fingers many months, and would so employ them until the ripening of grapes.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading There was a weight of trouble upon the breast of Doña Carlota that night, a haven broad enough to harbor many troubles, yet in which few had come to anchor in her placid years.
the organ of sight
From this reading She drew the drapery of her chamber window aside to show that the house was awake, herself seated discreetly out of sight of any passing eye.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading She was as round and fat as an old hen pigeon, small in the face, her chin merged into her neck, her black hair pulled rigorously back from her shallow forehead in what seemed an attempt to give sternness to a countenance that had no more severity in it than a cake.
having an (over)abundance of flesh
From this reading She was as round and fat as an old hen pigeon, small in the face, her chin merged into her neck, her black hair pulled rigorously back from her shallow forehead in what seemed an attempt to give sternness to a countenance that had no more severity in it than a cake.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading There was a weight of trouble upon the breast of Doña Carlota that night, a haven broad enough to harbor many troubles, yet in which few had come to anchor in her placid years.
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading With crochet needle and fine silk thread she worked upon the mantilla that had employed her fingers many months, and would so employ them until the ripening of grapes.
plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)
From this reading With crochet needle and fine silk thread she worked upon the mantilla that had employed her fingers many months, and would so employ them until the ripening of grapes.
the part of the face above the eyes
From this reading She was as round and fat as an old hen pigeon, small in the face, her chin merged into her neck, her black hair pulled rigorously back from her shallow forehead in what seemed an attempt to give sternness to a countenance that had no more severity in it than a cake.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading She was as round and fat as an old hen pigeon, small in the face, her chin merged into her neck, her black hair pulled rigorously back from her shallow forehead in what seemed an attempt to give sternness to a countenance that had no more severity in it than a cake.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading She was as round and fat as an old hen pigeon, small in the face, her chin merged into her neck, her black hair pulled rigorously back from her shallow forehead in what seemed an attempt to give sternness to a countenance that had no more severity in it than a cake.
grapesnounUS /ɡreɪps/
plural of “grape” — any of various juicy fruit of the genus Vitis with green or purple skins; grow in clusters
From this reading With crochet needle and fine silk thread she worked upon the mantilla that had employed her fingers many months, and would so employ them until the ripening of grapes.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading With crochet needle and fine silk thread she worked upon the mantilla that had employed her fingers many months, and would so employ them until the ripening of grapes.
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 She was as round and fat as an old hen pigeon, small in the face, her chin merged into her neck, her black hair pulled rigorously back from her shallow forehead in what seemed an attempt to give sternness to a countenance that had no more severity in it than a cake.
harborverbUS /ˈhɑːrbər/
maintain (a theory, thoughts, or feelings)
From this reading There was a weight of trouble upon the breast of Doña Carlota that night, a haven broad enough to harbor many troubles, yet in which few had come to anchor in her placid years.
havennounUS /ˈheɪvən/
a shelter serving as a place of safety or sanctuary
From this reading There was a weight of trouble upon the breast of Doña Carlota that night, a haven broad enough to harbor many troubles, yet in which few had come to anchor in her placid years.
hennounUS /hen/
adult female chicken
From this reading She was as round and fat as an old hen pigeon, small in the face, her chin merged into her neck, her black hair pulled rigorously back from her shallow forehead in what seemed an attempt to give sternness to a countenance that had no more severity in it than a cake.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading THE TEETH OF A MAN Doña Carlota, cousin of Don Abrahan, kept her candle burning late that night.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading She drew the drapery of her chamber window aside to show that the house was awake, herself seated discreetly out of sight of any passing eye.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading She drew the drapery of her chamber window aside to show that the house was awake, herself seated discreetly out of sight of any passing eye.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There was a weight of trouble upon the breast of Doña Carlota that night, a haven broad enough to harbor many troubles, yet in which few had come to anchor in her placid years.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading She was as round and fat as an old hen pigeon, small in the face, her chin merged into her neck, her black hair pulled rigorously back from her shallow forehead in what seemed an attempt to give sternness to a countenance that had no more severity in it than a cake.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading She was as round and fat as an old hen pigeon, small in the face, her chin merged into her neck, her black hair pulled rigorously back from her shallow forehead in what seemed an attempt to give sternness to a countenance that had no more severity in it than a cake.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading THE TEETH OF A MAN Doña Carlota, cousin of Don Abrahan, kept her candle burning late that night.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading THE TEETH OF A MAN Doña Carlota, cousin of Don Abrahan, kept her candle burning late that night.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading THE TEETH OF A MAN Doña Carlota, cousin of Don Abrahan, kept her candle burning late that night.
mantillanounUS /mænˈtɪlə/
a woman's silk or lace scarf
From this reading With crochet needle and fine silk thread she worked upon the mantilla that had employed her fingers many months, and would so employ them until the ripening of grapes.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading With crochet needle and fine silk thread she worked upon the mantilla that had employed her fingers many months, and would so employ them until the ripening of grapes.
mergedadjectiveUS /mɜːrdʒd/
formed or united into a whole
From this reading She was as round and fat as an old hen pigeon, small in the face, her chin merged into her neck, her black hair pulled rigorously back from her shallow forehead in what seemed an attempt to give sternness to a countenance that had no more severity in it than a cake.
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading With crochet needle and fine silk thread she worked upon the mantilla that had employed her fingers many months, and would so employ them until the ripening of grapes.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading She was as round and fat as an old hen pigeon, small in the face, her chin merged into her neck, her black hair pulled rigorously back from her shallow forehead in what seemed an attempt to give sternness to a countenance that had no more severity in it than a cake.
the part of an organism (human or animal) that connects the head to the rest of the body
From this reading She was as round and fat as an old hen pigeon, small in the face, her chin merged into her neck, her black hair pulled rigorously back from her shallow forehead in what seemed an attempt to give sternness to a countenance that had no more severity in it than a cake.
needlenounUS /ˈniːdəl/
the leaf of a conifer
From this reading With crochet needle and fine silk thread she worked upon the mantilla that had employed her fingers many months, and would so employ them until the ripening of grapes.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading THE TEETH OF A MAN Doña Carlota, cousin of Don Abrahan, kept her candle burning late that night.
not any; not one
From this reading She was as round and fat as an old hen pigeon, small in the face, her chin merged into her neck, her black hair pulled rigorously back from her shallow forehead in what seemed an attempt to give sternness to a countenance that had no more severity in it than a cake.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE TEETH OF A MAN Doña Carlota, cousin of Don Abrahan, kept her candle burning late that night.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading She was as round and fat as an old hen pigeon, small in the face, her chin merged into her neck, her black hair pulled rigorously back from her shallow forehead in what seemed an attempt to give sternness to a countenance that had no more severity in it than a cake.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading She drew the drapery of her chamber window aside to show that the house was awake, herself seated discreetly out of sight of any passing eye.
(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate
From this reading She drew the drapery of her chamber window aside to show that the house was awake, herself seated discreetly out of sight of any passing eye.
pigeonnounUS /ˈpɪdʒən/
wild and domesticated birds having a heavy body and short legs
From this reading She was as round and fat as an old hen pigeon, small in the face, her chin merged into her neck, her black hair pulled rigorously back from her shallow forehead in what seemed an attempt to give sternness to a countenance that had no more severity in it than a cake.
placidadjectiveUS /ˈplæsəd/
(of a body of water) free from disturbance by heavy waves
From this reading There was a weight of trouble upon the breast of Doña Carlota that night, a haven broad enough to harbor many troubles, yet in which few had come to anchor in her placid years.
past form of “pull” — cause to move by pulling
From this reading She was as round and fat as an old hen pigeon, small in the face, her chin merged into her neck, her black hair pulled rigorously back from her shallow forehead in what seemed an attempt to give sternness to a countenance that had no more severity in it than a cake.
rigorouslyadverbUS /ˈrɪɡərəsli/
in a rigorous manner
From this reading She was as round and fat as an old hen pigeon, small in the face, her chin merged into her neck, her black hair pulled rigorously back from her shallow forehead in what seemed an attempt to give sternness to a countenance that had no more severity in it than a cake.
ripeningnounUS /ˈraɪpənɪŋ/
coming to full development; becoming mature
From this reading With crochet needle and fine silk thread she worked upon the mantilla that had employed her fingers many months, and would so employ them until the ripening of grapes.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading She was as round and fat as an old hen pigeon, small in the face, her chin merged into her neck, her black hair pulled rigorously back from her shallow forehead in what seemed an attempt to give sternness to a countenance that had no more severity in it than a cake.
(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks
From this reading She drew the drapery of her chamber window aside to show that the house was awake, herself seated discreetly out of sight of any passing eye.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading She was as round and fat as an old hen pigeon, small in the face, her chin merged into her neck, her black hair pulled rigorously back from her shallow forehead in what seemed an attempt to give sternness to a countenance that had no more severity in it than a cake.
severitynounUS /sɪˈverɪti/
used of the degree of something undesirable e.g. pain or weather
From this reading She was as round and fat as an old hen pigeon, small in the face, her chin merged into her neck, her black hair pulled rigorously back from her shallow forehead in what seemed an attempt to give sternness to a countenance that had no more severity in it than a cake.
shallowadjectiveUS /ˈʃæloʊ/
lacking physical depth; having little spatial extension downward or inward from an outer surface or backward or outward from a center
From this reading She was as round and fat as an old hen pigeon, small in the face, her chin merged into her neck, her black hair pulled rigorously back from her shallow forehead in what seemed an attempt to give sternness to a countenance that had no more severity in it than a cake.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She drew the drapery of her chamber window aside to show that the house was awake, herself seated discreetly out of sight of any passing eye.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading She drew the drapery of her chamber window aside to show that the house was awake, herself seated discreetly out of sight of any passing eye.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading She drew the drapery of her chamber window aside to show that the house was awake, herself seated discreetly out of sight of any passing eye.
a fabric made from the fine threads produced by certain insect larvae
From this reading With crochet needle and fine silk thread she worked upon the mantilla that had employed her fingers many months, and would so employ them until the ripening of grapes.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading She was as round and fat as an old hen pigeon, small in the face, her chin merged into her neck, her black hair pulled rigorously back from her shallow forehead in what seemed an attempt to give sternness to a countenance that had no more severity in it than a cake.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading With crochet needle and fine silk thread she worked upon the mantilla that had employed her fingers many months, and would so employ them until the ripening of grapes.
sternnessnounUS /ˈstɜːrnnəs/
the quality (as of scenery) being grim and gloomy and forbidding
From this reading She was as round and fat as an old hen pigeon, small in the face, her chin merged into her neck, her black hair pulled rigorously back from her shallow forehead in what seemed an attempt to give sternness to a countenance that had no more severity in it than a cake.
the kind and number and arrangement of teeth (collectively) in a person or animal
From this reading THE TEETH OF A MAN Doña Carlota, cousin of Don Abrahan, kept her candle burning late that night.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading She was as round and fat as an old hen pigeon, small in the face, her chin merged into her neck, her black hair pulled rigorously back from her shallow forehead in what seemed an attempt to give sternness to a countenance that had no more severity in it than a cake.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE TEETH OF A MAN Doña Carlota, cousin of Don Abrahan, kept her candle burning late that night.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE TEETH OF A MAN Doña Carlota, cousin of Don Abrahan, kept her candle burning late that night.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading With crochet needle and fine silk thread she worked upon the mantilla that had employed her fingers many months, and would so employ them until the ripening of grapes.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was a weight of trouble upon the breast of Doña Carlota that night, a haven broad enough to harbor many troubles, yet in which few had come to anchor in her placid years.
threadverbUS /θred/
to move or cause to move in a sinuous, spiral, or circular course
From this reading With crochet needle and fine silk thread she worked upon the mantilla that had employed her fingers many months, and would so employ them until the ripening of grapes.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She drew the drapery of her chamber window aside to show that the house was awake, herself seated discreetly out of sight of any passing eye.
a source of difficulty
From this reading There was a weight of trouble upon the breast of Doña Carlota that night, a haven broad enough to harbor many troubles, yet in which few had come to anchor in her placid years.
plural of “trouble” — a source of difficulty
From this reading There was a weight of trouble upon the breast of Doña Carlota that night, a haven broad enough to harbor many troubles, yet in which few had come to anchor in her placid years.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading With crochet needle and fine silk thread she worked upon the mantilla that had employed her fingers many months, and would so employ them until the ripening of grapes.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading With crochet needle and fine silk thread she worked upon the mantilla that had employed her fingers many months, and would so employ them until the ripening of grapes.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She drew the drapery of her chamber window aside to show that the house was awake, herself seated discreetly out of sight of any passing eye.
the vertical force exerted by a mass as a result of gravity
From this reading There was a weight of trouble upon the breast of Doña Carlota that night, a haven broad enough to harbor many troubles, yet in which few had come to anchor in her placid years.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading She was as round and fat as an old hen pigeon, small in the face, her chin merged into her neck, her black hair pulled rigorously back from her shallow forehead in what seemed an attempt to give sternness to a countenance that had no more severity in it than a cake.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading There was a weight of trouble upon the breast of Doña Carlota that night, a haven broad enough to harbor many troubles, yet in which few had come to anchor in her placid years.
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading She drew the drapery of her chamber window aside to show that the house was awake, herself seated discreetly out of sight of any passing eye.
in the company of; together with
From this reading With crochet needle and fine silk thread she worked upon the mantilla that had employed her fingers many months, and would so employ them until the ripening of grapes.
past form of “work” — exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading With crochet needle and fine silk thread she worked upon the mantilla that had employed her fingers many months, and would so employ them until the ripening of grapes.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading With crochet needle and fine silk thread she worked upon the mantilla that had employed her fingers many months, and would so employ them until the ripening of grapes.
a late time of life
From this reading There was a weight of trouble upon the breast of Doña Carlota that night, a haven broad enough to harbor many troubles, yet in which few had come to anchor in her placid years.
but in spite of that
From this reading There was a weight of trouble upon the breast of Doña Carlota that night, a haven broad enough to harbor many troubles, yet in which few had come to anchor in her placid years.
