used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was something to find in the apathy of prostration a brief respite; it was something to close her eyes and lie quite still.
achingadjectiveUS /ˈeɪkɪŋ/
causing a dull and steady pain
From this reading Three hours earlier, her head aching, her heart full, uncertain what to do or what would follow, she had fled from the commotion below, and, locking herself in her bedroom, had lain down with her misery.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Henrietta lifted her tear-stained face from the pillow and awaited the answer.
react verbally
From this reading Henrietta lifted her tear-stained face from the pillow and awaited the answer.
apathynounUS /ˈæpəθi/
an absence of emotion or enthusiasm
From this reading It was something to find in the apathy of prostration a brief respite; it was something to close her eyes and lie quite still.
awaitedadjectiveUS /əˈweɪtɪd/
expected hopefully
From this reading Henrietta lifted her tear-stained face from the pillow and awaited the answer.
a room used primarily for sleeping
From this reading Three hours earlier, her head aching, her heart full, uncertain what to do or what would follow, she had fled from the commotion below, and, locking herself in her bedroom, had lain down with her misery.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading Three hours earlier, her head aching, her heart full, uncertain what to do or what would follow, she had fled from the commotion below, and, locking herself in her bedroom, had lain down with her misery.
of short duration or distance
From this reading It was something to find in the apathy of prostration a brief respite; it was something to close her eyes and lie quite still.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading It was something to find in the apathy of prostration a brief respite; it was something to close her eyes and lie quite still.
commotionnounUS /kəˈmoʊʃən/
a disorderly outburst or tumult
From this reading Three hours earlier, her head aching, her heart full, uncertain what to do or what would follow, she had fled from the commotion below, and, locking herself in her bedroom, had lain down with her misery.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading For a while she might keep her door locked, might nurse her wretchedness, might evade rude looks and curious questions, might postpone decision.
the act of making up your mind about something
From this reading For a while she might keep her door locked, might nurse her wretchedness, might evade rude looks and curious questions, might postpone decision.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Three hours earlier, her head aching, her heart full, uncertain what to do or what would follow, she had fled from the commotion below, and, locking herself in her bedroom, had lain down with her misery.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading For a while she might keep her door locked, might nurse her wretchedness, might evade rude looks and curious questions, might postpone decision.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Three hours earlier, her head aching, her heart full, uncertain what to do or what would follow, she had fled from the commotion below, and, locking herself in her bedroom, had lain down with her misery.
earlier in time; previously
From this reading Three hours earlier, her head aching, her heart full, uncertain what to do or what would follow, she had fled from the commotion below, and, locking herself in her bedroom, had lain down with her misery.
evadeverbUS /ɪˈveɪd/
avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing (duties, questions, or issues)
From this reading For a while she might keep her door locked, might nurse her wretchedness, might evade rude looks and curious questions, might postpone decision.
opinion or judgment
From this reading It was something to find in the apathy of prostration a brief respite; it was something to close her eyes and lie quite still.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Henrietta lifted her tear-stained face from the pillow and awaited the answer.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading It was something to find in the apathy of prostration a brief respite; it was something to close her eyes and lie quite still.
inflected form of “flee” — run away quickly
From this reading Three hours earlier, her head aching, her heart full, uncertain what to do or what would follow, she had fled from the commotion below, and, locking herself in her bedroom, had lain down with her misery.
to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading Three hours earlier, her head aching, her heart full, uncertain what to do or what would follow, she had fled from the commotion below, and, locking herself in her bedroom, had lain down with her misery.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For a while she might keep her door locked, might nurse her wretchedness, might evade rude looks and curious questions, might postpone decision.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Henrietta lifted her tear-stained face from the pillow and awaited the answer.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading Three hours earlier, her head aching, her heart full, uncertain what to do or what would follow, she had fled from the commotion below, and, locking herself in her bedroom, had lain down with her misery.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Three hours earlier, her head aching, her heart full, uncertain what to do or what would follow, she had fled from the commotion below, and, locking herself in her bedroom, had lain down with her misery.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Three hours earlier, her head aching, her heart full, uncertain what to do or what would follow, she had fled from the commotion below, and, locking herself in her bedroom, had lain down with her misery.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading Three hours earlier, her head aching, her heart full, uncertain what to do or what would follow, she had fled from the commotion below, and, locking herself in her bedroom, had lain down with her misery.
Henrietta
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Henrietta lifted her tear-stained face from the pillow and awaited the answer.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Henrietta lifted her tear-stained face from the pillow and awaited the answer.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading Three hours earlier, her head aching, her heart full, uncertain what to do or what would follow, she had fled from the commotion below, and, locking herself in her bedroom, had lain down with her misery.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading Three hours earlier, her head aching, her heart full, uncertain what to do or what would follow, she had fled from the commotion below, and, locking herself in her bedroom, had lain down with her misery.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Three hours earlier, her head aching, her heart full, uncertain what to do or what would follow, she had fled from the commotion below, and, locking herself in her bedroom, had lain down with her misery.
INQUIRYnounUS /ˌɪnˈkwaɪriː/
a search for knowledge
From this reading THE INQUIRY “Who is there?”
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE INQUIRY “Who is there?”
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was something to find in the apathy of prostration a brief respite; it was something to close her eyes and lie quite still.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading For a while she might keep her door locked, might nurse her wretchedness, might evade rude looks and curious questions, might postpone decision.
lainverbUS /leɪn/
inflected form of “lie” — be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position
From this reading Three hours earlier, her head aching, her heart full, uncertain what to do or what would follow, she had fled from the commotion below, and, locking herself in her bedroom, had lain down with her misery.
be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position
From this reading It was something to find in the apathy of prostration a brief respite; it was something to close her eyes and lie quite still.
held up in the air
From this reading Henrietta lifted her tear-stained face from the pillow and awaited the answer.
past form of “lock” — fasten with a lock
From this reading For a while she might keep her door locked, might nurse her wretchedness, might evade rude looks and curious questions, might postpone decision.
lockingnounUS /ˈlɑːkɪŋ/
the act of locking something up to protect it
From this reading Three hours earlier, her head aching, her heart full, uncertain what to do or what would follow, she had fled from the commotion below, and, locking herself in her bedroom, had lain down with her misery.
plural of “look” — the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading For a while she might keep her door locked, might nurse her wretchedness, might evade rude looks and curious questions, might postpone decision.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading For a while she might keep her door locked, might nurse her wretchedness, might evade rude looks and curious questions, might postpone decision.
a state of ill-being due to affliction or misfortune
From this reading Three hours earlier, her head aching, her heart full, uncertain what to do or what would follow, she had fled from the commotion below, and, locking herself in her bedroom, had lain down with her misery.
try to cure by special care of treatment, of an illness or injury
From this reading For a while she might keep her door locked, might nurse her wretchedness, might evade rude looks and curious questions, might postpone decision.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was something to find in the apathy of prostration a brief respite; it was something to close her eyes and lie quite still.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Three hours earlier, her head aching, her heart full, uncertain what to do or what would follow, she had fled from the commotion below, and, locking herself in her bedroom, had lain down with her misery.
pillownounUS /ˈpɪloʊ/
a cushion to support the head of a sleeping person
From this reading Henrietta lifted her tear-stained face from the pillow and awaited the answer.
postponeverbUS /poʊstˈpoʊn/
hold back to a later time
From this reading For a while she might keep her door locked, might nurse her wretchedness, might evade rude looks and curious questions, might postpone decision.
prostrationnounUS /prɑːˈstreɪʃən/
an abrupt failure of function or complete physical exhaustion
From this reading It was something to find in the apathy of prostration a brief respite; it was something to close her eyes and lie quite still.
plural of “question” — an instance of questioning
From this reading For a while she might keep her door locked, might nurse her wretchedness, might evade rude looks and curious questions, might postpone decision.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading It was something to find in the apathy of prostration a brief respite; it was something to close her eyes and lie quite still.
respitenounUS /ˈrespɪt/
a (temporary) relief from harm or discomfort
From this reading It was something to find in the apathy of prostration a brief respite; it was something to close her eyes and lie quite still.
socially incorrect in behavior
From this reading For a while she might keep her door locked, might nurse her wretchedness, might evade rude looks and curious questions, might postpone decision.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Three hours earlier, her head aching, her heart full, uncertain what to do or what would follow, she had fled from the commotion below, and, locking herself in her bedroom, had lain down with her misery.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading It was something to find in the apathy of prostration a brief respite; it was something to close her eyes and lie quite still.
not in physical motion
From this reading It was something to find in the apathy of prostration a brief respite; it was something to close her eyes and lie quite still.
tear-stained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Henrietta lifted her tear-stained face from the pillow and awaited the answer.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE INQUIRY “Who is there?”
in or at that place or location
From this reading THE INQUIRY “Who is there?”
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading Three hours earlier, her head aching, her heart full, uncertain what to do or what would follow, she had fled from the commotion below, and, locking herself in her bedroom, had lain down with her misery.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Three hours earlier, her head aching, her heart full, uncertain what to do or what would follow, she had fled from the commotion below, and, locking herself in her bedroom, had lain down with her misery.
uncertainadjectiveUS /ənˈsɜːrtən/
lacking or indicating lack of confidence or assurance
From this reading Three hours earlier, her head aching, her heart full, uncertain what to do or what would follow, she had fled from the commotion below, and, locking herself in her bedroom, had lain down with her misery.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was something to find in the apathy of prostration a brief respite; it was something to close her eyes and lie quite still.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Three hours earlier, her head aching, her heart full, uncertain what to do or what would follow, she had fled from the commotion below, and, locking herself in her bedroom, had lain down with her misery.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading For a while she might keep her door locked, might nurse her wretchedness, might evade rude looks and curious questions, might postpone decision.
which person or people
From this reading THE INQUIRY “Who is there?”
in the company of; together with
From this reading Three hours earlier, her head aching, her heart full, uncertain what to do or what would follow, she had fled from the commotion below, and, locking herself in her bedroom, had lain down with her misery.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Three hours earlier, her head aching, her heart full, uncertain what to do or what would follow, she had fled from the commotion below, and, locking herself in her bedroom, had lain down with her misery.
wretchednessnoun
a state of ill-being due to affliction or misfortune
From this reading For a while she might keep her door locked, might nurse her wretchedness, might evade rude looks and curious questions, might postpone decision.
