used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Aunt Hannah would go out a little while, which she had scarcely done since Sophia Jane's illness.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading All this was promised, and it seemed another reason against saying anything about the collar; for, if Sophia Jane knew the truth, it would certainly vex and thwart her.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading All this was promised, and it seemed another reason against saying anything about the collar; for, if Sophia Jane knew the truth, it would certainly vex and thwart her.
(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 All this was promised, and it seemed another reason against saying anything about the collar; for, if Sophia Jane knew the truth, it would certainly vex and thwart her.
amuseverbUS /əˈmjuːz/
occupy in an agreeable, entertaining or pleasant fashion
From this reading Susan collected some things which she thought might amuse her, and perhaps prevent her from dwelling long on the dreaded subject.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Sophia Jane continued better, and was much looking forward, Aunt Hannah said, to her companion's visit.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading All this was promised, and it seemed another reason against saying anything about the collar; for, if Sophia Jane knew the truth, it would certainly vex and thwart her.
any thing at all
From this reading Susan was cautioned before she went upstairs to be very kind and gentle, not to vex or thwart the invalid, and to call Buskin if anything should be wanted.
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading Sophia Jane continued better, and was much looking forward, Aunt Hannah said, to her companion's visit.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Susan was cautioned before she went upstairs to be very kind and gentle, not to vex or thwart the invalid, and to call Buskin if anything should be wanted.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Susan was cautioned before she went upstairs to be very kind and gentle, not to vex or thwart the invalid, and to call Buskin if anything should be wanted.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading Sophia Jane continued better, and was much looking forward, Aunt Hannah said, to her companion's visit.
Buskinnoun
a boot reaching halfway up to the knee
From this reading Susan was cautioned before she went upstairs to be very kind and gentle, not to vex or thwart the invalid, and to call Buskin if anything should be wanted.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading Susan was cautioned before she went upstairs to be very kind and gentle, not to vex or thwart the invalid, and to call Buskin if anything should be wanted.
cautionedverbUS /ˈkɑːʃənd/
past form of “caution” — warn strongly; put on guard
From this reading Susan was cautioned before she went upstairs to be very kind and gentle, not to vex or thwart the invalid, and to call Buskin if anything should be wanted.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading All this was promised, and it seemed another reason against saying anything about the collar; for, if Sophia Jane knew the truth, it would certainly vex and thwart her.
collarnounUS /ˈkɑːlər/
a band that fits around the neck and is usually folded over
From this reading All this was promised, and it seemed another reason against saying anything about the collar; for, if Sophia Jane knew the truth, it would certainly vex and thwart her.
collectedadjectiveUS /kəˈlektəd/
brought together in one place
From this reading Susan collected some things which she thought might amuse her, and perhaps prevent her from dwelling long on the dreaded subject.
companion's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sophia Jane continued better, and was much looking forward, Aunt Hannah said, to her companion's visit.
without stop or interruption
From this reading Sophia Jane continued better, and was much looking forward, Aunt Hannah said, to her companion's visit.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading Aunt Hannah would go out a little while, which she had scarcely done since Sophia Jane's illness.
dreadedadjectiveUS /ˈdredɪd/
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading Susan collected some things which she thought might amuse her, and perhaps prevent her from dwelling long on the dreaded subject.
dwellingnounUS /ˈdwelɪŋ/
housing that someone is living in
From this reading Susan collected some things which she thought might amuse her, and perhaps prevent her from dwelling long on the dreaded subject.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading All this was promised, and it seemed another reason against saying anything about the collar; for, if Sophia Jane knew the truth, it would certainly vex and thwart her.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading Sophia Jane continued better, and was much looking forward, Aunt Hannah said, to her companion's visit.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Susan collected some things which she thought might amuse her, and perhaps prevent her from dwelling long on the dreaded subject.
soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe
From this reading Susan was cautioned before she went upstairs to be very kind and gentle, not to vex or thwart the invalid, and to call Buskin if anything should be wanted.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Aunt Hannah would go out a little while, which she had scarcely done since Sophia Jane's illness.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Aunt Hannah would go out a little while, which she had scarcely done since Sophia Jane's illness.
Hannah
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sophia Jane continued better, and was much looking forward, Aunt Hannah said, to her companion's visit.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Sophia Jane continued better, and was much looking forward, Aunt Hannah said, to her companion's visit.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Susan was cautioned before she went upstairs to be very kind and gentle, not to vex or thwart the invalid, and to call Buskin if anything should be wanted.
illnessnounUS /ˈɪlnəs/
impairment of normal physiological function affecting part or all of an organism
From this reading Aunt Hannah would go out a little while, which she had scarcely done since Sophia Jane's illness.
invalidnounUS /ˈɪnvələd/
someone who is incapacitated by a chronic illness or injury
From this reading Susan was cautioned before she went upstairs to be very kind and gentle, not to vex or thwart the invalid, and to call Buskin if anything should be wanted.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading All this was promised, and it seemed another reason against saying anything about the collar; for, if Sophia Jane knew the truth, it would certainly vex and thwart her.
Jane
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sophia Jane continued better, and was much looking forward, Aunt Hannah said, to her companion's visit.
Jane's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Aunt Hannah would go out a little while, which she had scarcely done since Sophia Jane's illness.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading Susan was cautioned before she went upstairs to be very kind and gentle, not to vex or thwart the invalid, and to call Buskin if anything should be wanted.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading All this was promised, and it seemed another reason against saying anything about the collar; for, if Sophia Jane knew the truth, it would certainly vex and thwart her.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Aunt Hannah would go out a little while, which she had scarcely done since Sophia Jane's illness.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading Susan collected some things which she thought might amuse her, and perhaps prevent her from dwelling long on the dreaded subject.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading Sophia Jane continued better, and was much looking forward, Aunt Hannah said, to her companion's visit.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Susan collected some things which she thought might amuse her, and perhaps prevent her from dwelling long on the dreaded subject.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Sophia Jane continued better, and was much looking forward, Aunt Hannah said, to her companion's visit.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Susan was cautioned before she went upstairs to be very kind and gentle, not to vex or thwart the invalid, and to call Buskin if anything should be wanted.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Susan collected some things which she thought might amuse her, and perhaps prevent her from dwelling long on the dreaded subject.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Susan was cautioned before she went upstairs to be very kind and gentle, not to vex or thwart the invalid, and to call Buskin if anything should be wanted.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Aunt Hannah would go out a little while, which she had scarcely done since Sophia Jane's illness.
by chance
From this reading Susan collected some things which she thought might amuse her, and perhaps prevent her from dwelling long on the dreaded subject.
keep from happening or arising; make impossible
From this reading Susan collected some things which she thought might amuse her, and perhaps prevent her from dwelling long on the dreaded subject.
past form of “promise” — make a promise or commitment
From this reading All this was promised, and it seemed another reason against saying anything about the collar; for, if Sophia Jane knew the truth, it would certainly vex and thwart her.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading All this was promised, and it seemed another reason against saying anything about the collar; for, if Sophia Jane knew the truth, it would certainly vex and thwart her.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading Sophia Jane continued better, and was much looking forward, Aunt Hannah said, to her companion's visit.
a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations
From this reading All this was promised, and it seemed another reason against saying anything about the collar; for, if Sophia Jane knew the truth, it would certainly vex and thwart her.
only a very short time before
From this reading Aunt Hannah would go out a little while, which she had scarcely done since Sophia Jane's illness.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading All this was promised, and it seemed another reason against saying anything about the collar; for, if Sophia Jane knew the truth, it would certainly vex and thwart her.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Susan was cautioned before she went upstairs to be very kind and gentle, not to vex or thwart the invalid, and to call Buskin if anything should be wanted.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Susan was cautioned before she went upstairs to be very kind and gentle, not to vex or thwart the invalid, and to call Buskin if anything should be wanted.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Aunt Hannah would go out a little while, which she had scarcely done since Sophia Jane's illness.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Susan collected some things which she thought might amuse her, and perhaps prevent her from dwelling long on the dreaded subject.
Sophia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sophia Jane continued better, and was much looking forward, Aunt Hannah said, to her companion's visit.
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading Susan collected some things which she thought might amuse her, and perhaps prevent her from dwelling long on the dreaded subject.
Susan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Susan was cautioned before she went upstairs to be very kind and gentle, not to vex or thwart the invalid, and to call Buskin if anything should be wanted.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Susan was cautioned before she went upstairs to be very kind and gentle, not to vex or thwart the invalid, and to call Buskin if anything should be wanted.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading Susan collected some things which she thought might amuse her, and perhaps prevent her from dwelling long on the dreaded subject.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading All this was promised, and it seemed another reason against saying anything about the collar; for, if Sophia Jane knew the truth, it would certainly vex and thwart her.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Susan collected some things which she thought might amuse her, and perhaps prevent her from dwelling long on the dreaded subject.
thwartnounUS /θwɔːrt/
a crosspiece spreading the gunnels of a boat; used as a seat in a rowboat
From this reading Susan was cautioned before she went upstairs to be very kind and gentle, not to vex or thwart the invalid, and to call Buskin if anything should be wanted.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Sophia Jane continued better, and was much looking forward, Aunt Hannah said, to her companion's visit.
a fact that has been verified
From this reading All this was promised, and it seemed another reason against saying anything about the collar; for, if Sophia Jane knew the truth, it would certainly vex and thwart her.
on a floor above
From this reading Susan was cautioned before she went upstairs to be very kind and gentle, not to vex or thwart the invalid, and to call Buskin if anything should be wanted.
precisely as stated
From this reading Susan was cautioned before she went upstairs to be very kind and gentle, not to vex or thwart the invalid, and to call Buskin if anything should be wanted.
vexverbUS /veks/
cause annoyance in; disturb, especially by minor irritations
From this reading Susan was cautioned before she went upstairs to be very kind and gentle, not to vex or thwart the invalid, and to call Buskin if anything should be wanted.
go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading Sophia Jane continued better, and was much looking forward, Aunt Hannah said, to her companion's visit.
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading Susan was cautioned before she went upstairs to be very kind and gentle, not to vex or thwart the invalid, and to call Buskin if anything should be wanted.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Sophia Jane continued better, and was much looking forward, Aunt Hannah said, to her companion's visit.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Susan was cautioned before she went upstairs to be very kind and gentle, not to vex or thwart the invalid, and to call Buskin if anything should be wanted.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Aunt Hannah would go out a little while, which she had scarcely done since Sophia Jane's illness.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Aunt Hannah would go out a little while, which she had scarcely done since Sophia Jane's illness.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Aunt Hannah would go out a little while, which she had scarcely done since Sophia Jane's illness.
