used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A PROBLEM It was a little more than a week after Edna's adventure in the Gardens, and about ten o'clock in the morning, that something happened--something which proved that Mrs. Cliff was entirely right when she talked about the feeling in her bones.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading A PROBLEM It was a little more than a week after Edna's adventure in the Gardens, and about ten o'clock in the morning, that something happened--something which proved that Mrs. Cliff was entirely right when she talked about the feeling in her bones.
take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome
From this reading A PROBLEM It was a little more than a week after Edna's adventure in the Gardens, and about ten o'clock in the morning, that something happened--something which proved that Mrs. Cliff was entirely right when she talked about the feeling in her bones.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading A PROBLEM It was a little more than a week after Edna's adventure in the Gardens, and about ten o'clock in the morning, that something happened--something which proved that Mrs. Cliff was entirely right when she talked about the feeling in her bones.
(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 After all this waiting and hoping and trusting, here was news from Captain Horn--news by his own hand, now, here, this minute!
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A PROBLEM It was a little more than a week after Edna's adventure in the Gardens, and about ten o'clock in the morning, that something happened--something which proved that Mrs. Cliff was entirely right when she talked about the feeling in her bones.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As she stood with the letter in her hand, every nerve tingling, every vein throbbing, and every muscle as rigid as if it had been cast in metal, she could scarcely comprehend that it had really come--that she really held it.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Edna received a letter from Captain Horn, which was dated at Marseilles.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading As she stood with the letter in her hand, every nerve tingling, every vein throbbing, and every muscle as rigid as if it had been cast in metal, she could scarcely comprehend that it had really come--that she really held it.
(used in the plural) a percussion instrument consisting of a pair of hollow pieces of wood or bone (usually held between the thumb and fingers) that are made to click together (as by Spanish dancers) in rhythm with the dance
From this reading A PROBLEM It was a little more than a week after Edna's adventure in the Gardens, and about ten o'clock in the morning, that something happened--something which proved that Mrs. Cliff was entirely right when she talked about the feeling in her bones.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading After all this waiting and hoping and trusting, here was news from Captain Horn--news by his own hand, now, here, this minute!
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading Edna received a letter from Captain Horn, which was dated at Marseilles.
put or send forth
From this reading As she stood with the letter in her hand, every nerve tingling, every vein throbbing, and every muscle as rigid as if it had been cast in metal, she could scarcely comprehend that it had really come--that she really held it.
CliffnounUS /klɪf/
a steep high face of rock
From this reading A PROBLEM It was a little more than a week after Edna's adventure in the Gardens, and about ten o'clock in the morning, that something happened--something which proved that Mrs. Cliff was entirely right when she talked about the feeling in her bones.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading As she stood with the letter in her hand, every nerve tingling, every vein throbbing, and every muscle as rigid as if it had been cast in metal, she could scarcely comprehend that it had really come--that she really held it.
comprehendverbUS /ˌkɑːmpriˈhend/
get the meaning of something
From this reading As she stood with the letter in her hand, every nerve tingling, every vein throbbing, and every muscle as rigid as if it had been cast in metal, she could scarcely comprehend that it had really come--that she really held it.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading As she stood with the letter in her hand, every nerve tingling, every vein throbbing, and every muscle as rigid as if it had been cast in metal, she could scarcely comprehend that it had really come--that she really held it.
datedadjectiveUS /ˈdeɪtɪd/
marked by features of the immediate and usually discounted past
From this reading Edna received a letter from Captain Horn, which was dated at Marseilles.
Edna
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Edna received a letter from Captain Horn, which was dated at Marseilles.
Edna's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A PROBLEM It was a little more than a week after Edna's adventure in the Gardens, and about ten o'clock in the morning, that something happened--something which proved that Mrs. Cliff was entirely right when she talked about the feeling in her bones.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading A PROBLEM It was a little more than a week after Edna's adventure in the Gardens, and about ten o'clock in the morning, that something happened--something which proved that Mrs. Cliff was entirely right when she talked about the feeling in her bones.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading As she stood with the letter in her hand, every nerve tingling, every vein throbbing, and every muscle as rigid as if it had been cast in metal, she could scarcely comprehend that it had really come--that she really held it.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading A PROBLEM It was a little more than a week after Edna's adventure in the Gardens, and about ten o'clock in the morning, that something happened--something which proved that Mrs. Cliff was entirely right when she talked about the feeling in her bones.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Edna received a letter from Captain Horn, which was dated at Marseilles.
plural of “garden” — a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading A PROBLEM It was a little more than a week after Edna's adventure in the Gardens, and about ten o'clock in the morning, that something happened--something which proved that Mrs. Cliff was entirely right when she talked about the feeling in her bones.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading As she stood with the letter in her hand, every nerve tingling, every vein throbbing, and every muscle as rigid as if it had been cast in metal, she could scarcely comprehend that it had really come--that she really held it.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading As she stood with the letter in her hand, every nerve tingling, every vein throbbing, and every muscle as rigid as if it had been cast in metal, she could scarcely comprehend that it had really come--that she really held it.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading A PROBLEM It was a little more than a week after Edna's adventure in the Gardens, and about ten o'clock in the morning, that something happened--something which proved that Mrs. Cliff was entirely right when she talked about the feeling in her bones.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading As she stood with the letter in her hand, every nerve tingling, every vein throbbing, and every muscle as rigid as if it had been cast in metal, she could scarcely comprehend that it had really come--that she really held it.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading A PROBLEM It was a little more than a week after Edna's adventure in the Gardens, and about ten o'clock in the morning, that something happened--something which proved that Mrs. Cliff was entirely right when she talked about the feeling in her bones.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading After all this waiting and hoping and trusting, here was news from Captain Horn--news by his own hand, now, here, this minute!
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading Presently she regained possession of herself, and, still standing, she tore open the letter.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading After all this waiting and hoping and trusting, here was news from Captain Horn--news by his own hand, now, here, this minute!
hopingverbUS /ˈhoʊpɪŋ/
-ing form of “hope” — expect and wish
From this reading After all this waiting and hoping and trusting, here was news from Captain Horn--news by his own hand, now, here, this minute!
HornnounUS /hɔːrn/
a noisemaker (as at parties or games) that makes a loud noise when you blow through it
From this reading Edna received a letter from Captain Horn, which was dated at Marseilles.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading As she stood with the letter in her hand, every nerve tingling, every vein throbbing, and every muscle as rigid as if it had been cast in metal, she could scarcely comprehend that it had really come--that she really held it.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A PROBLEM It was a little more than a week after Edna's adventure in the Gardens, and about ten o'clock in the morning, that something happened--something which proved that Mrs. Cliff was entirely right when she talked about the feeling in her bones.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A PROBLEM It was a little more than a week after Edna's adventure in the Gardens, and about ten o'clock in the morning, that something happened--something which proved that Mrs. Cliff was entirely right when she talked about the feeling in her bones.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading Edna received a letter from Captain Horn, which was dated at Marseilles.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading A PROBLEM It was a little more than a week after Edna's adventure in the Gardens, and about ten o'clock in the morning, that something happened--something which proved that Mrs. Cliff was entirely right when she talked about the feeling in her bones.
MarseillesnounUS /mɑːrˈsaɪləs/
a port city in southeastern France on the Mediterranean
From this reading Edna received a letter from Captain Horn, which was dated at Marseilles.
metalnounUS /ˈmetəl/
any of several chemical elements that are usually shiny solids that conduct heat or electricity and can be formed into sheets etc.
From this reading As she stood with the letter in her hand, every nerve tingling, every vein throbbing, and every muscle as rigid as if it had been cast in metal, she could scarcely comprehend that it had really come--that she really held it.
a unit of time equal to 60 seconds or 1/60th of an hour
From this reading After all this waiting and hoping and trusting, here was news from Captain Horn--news by his own hand, now, here, this minute!
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading A PROBLEM It was a little more than a week after Edna's adventure in the Gardens, and about ten o'clock in the morning, that something happened--something which proved that Mrs. Cliff was entirely right when she talked about the feeling in her bones.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading A PROBLEM It was a little more than a week after Edna's adventure in the Gardens, and about ten o'clock in the morning, that something happened--something which proved that Mrs. Cliff was entirely right when she talked about the feeling in her bones.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading A PROBLEM It was a little more than a week after Edna's adventure in the Gardens, and about ten o'clock in the morning, that something happened--something which proved that Mrs. Cliff was entirely right when she talked about the feeling in her bones.
musclenounUS /ˈmʌsəl/
one of the contractile organs of the body
From this reading As she stood with the letter in her hand, every nerve tingling, every vein throbbing, and every muscle as rigid as if it had been cast in metal, she could scarcely comprehend that it had really come--that she really held it.
nervenounUS /nɜːrv/
any bundle of nerve fibers running to various organs and tissues of the body
From this reading As she stood with the letter in her hand, every nerve tingling, every vein throbbing, and every muscle as rigid as if it had been cast in metal, she could scarcely comprehend that it had really come--that she really held it.
information about recent and important events
From this reading After all this waiting and hoping and trusting, here was news from Captain Horn--news by his own hand, now, here, this minute!
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading After all this waiting and hoping and trusting, here was news from Captain Horn--news by his own hand, now, here, this minute!
o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/
according to the clock
From this reading A PROBLEM It was a little more than a week after Edna's adventure in the Gardens, and about ten o'clock in the morning, that something happened--something which proved that Mrs. Cliff was entirely right when she talked about the feeling in her bones.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Presently she regained possession of herself, and, still standing, she tore open the letter.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Presently she regained possession of herself, and, still standing, she tore open the letter.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading After all this waiting and hoping and trusting, here was news from Captain Horn--news by his own hand, now, here, this minute!
the act of having and controlling property
From this reading Presently she regained possession of herself, and, still standing, she tore open the letter.
in the near future
From this reading Presently she regained possession of herself, and, still standing, she tore open the letter.
PROBLEMnounUS /ˈprɑːbləm/
a state of difficulty that needs to be resolved
From this reading A PROBLEM It was a little more than a week after Edna's adventure in the Gardens, and about ten o'clock in the morning, that something happened--something which proved that Mrs. Cliff was entirely right when she talked about the feeling in her bones.
established beyond doubt
From this reading A PROBLEM It was a little more than a week after Edna's adventure in the Gardens, and about ten o'clock in the morning, that something happened--something which proved that Mrs. Cliff was entirely right when she talked about the feeling in her bones.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading As she stood with the letter in her hand, every nerve tingling, every vein throbbing, and every muscle as rigid as if it had been cast in metal, she could scarcely comprehend that it had really come--that she really held it.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading Edna received a letter from Captain Horn, which was dated at Marseilles.
regainedverbUS /riˈɡeɪnd/
past form of “regain” — get or find back; recover the use of
From this reading Presently she regained possession of herself, and, still standing, she tore open the letter.
precisely, exactly
From this reading A PROBLEM It was a little more than a week after Edna's adventure in the Gardens, and about ten o'clock in the morning, that something happened--something which proved that Mrs. Cliff was entirely right when she talked about the feeling in her bones.
rigidadjectiveUS /ˈrɪdʒəd/
incapable of or resistant to bending
From this reading As she stood with the letter in her hand, every nerve tingling, every vein throbbing, and every muscle as rigid as if it had been cast in metal, she could scarcely comprehend that it had really come--that she really held it.
only a very short time before
From this reading As she stood with the letter in her hand, every nerve tingling, every vein throbbing, and every muscle as rigid as if it had been cast in metal, she could scarcely comprehend that it had really come--that she really held it.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A PROBLEM It was a little more than a week after Edna's adventure in the Gardens, and about ten o'clock in the morning, that something happened--something which proved that Mrs. Cliff was entirely right when she talked about the feeling in her bones.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading A PROBLEM It was a little more than a week after Edna's adventure in the Gardens, and about ten o'clock in the morning, that something happened--something which proved that Mrs. Cliff was entirely right when she talked about the feeling in her bones.
having a supporting base
From this reading Presently she regained possession of herself, and, still standing, she tore open the letter.
not in physical motion
From this reading Presently she regained possession of herself, and, still standing, she tore open the letter.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading As she stood with the letter in her hand, every nerve tingling, every vein throbbing, and every muscle as rigid as if it had been cast in metal, she could scarcely comprehend that it had really come--that she really held it.
past form of “talk” — exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading A PROBLEM It was a little more than a week after Edna's adventure in the Gardens, and about ten o'clock in the morning, that something happened--something which proved that Mrs. Cliff was entirely right when she talked about the feeling in her bones.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading A PROBLEM It was a little more than a week after Edna's adventure in the Gardens, and about ten o'clock in the morning, that something happened--something which proved that Mrs. Cliff was entirely right when she talked about the feeling in her bones.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading A PROBLEM It was a little more than a week after Edna's adventure in the Gardens, and about ten o'clock in the morning, that something happened--something which proved that Mrs. Cliff was entirely right when she talked about the feeling in her bones.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A PROBLEM It was a little more than a week after Edna's adventure in the Gardens, and about ten o'clock in the morning, that something happened--something which proved that Mrs. Cliff was entirely right when she talked about the feeling in her bones.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A PROBLEM It was a little more than a week after Edna's adventure in the Gardens, and about ten o'clock in the morning, that something happened--something which proved that Mrs. Cliff was entirely right when she talked about the feeling in her bones.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading After all this waiting and hoping and trusting, here was news from Captain Horn--news by his own hand, now, here, this minute!
throbbingnounUS /ˈθrɑːbɪŋ/
an instance of rapid strong pulsation (of the heart)
From this reading As she stood with the letter in her hand, every nerve tingling, every vein throbbing, and every muscle as rigid as if it had been cast in metal, she could scarcely comprehend that it had really come--that she really held it.
tinglingadjectiveUS /ˈtɪŋɡəlɪŋ/
exciting by touching lightly so as to cause laughter or twitching movements
From this reading As she stood with the letter in her hand, every nerve tingling, every vein throbbing, and every muscle as rigid as if it had been cast in metal, she could scarcely comprehend that it had really come--that she really held it.
commonly the lowest molding at the base of a column
From this reading Presently she regained possession of herself, and, still standing, she tore open the letter.
trustingadjectiveUS /ˈtrʌstɪŋ/
inclined to believe or confide readily; full of trust
From this reading After all this waiting and hoping and trusting, here was news from Captain Horn--news by his own hand, now, here, this minute!
veinnounUS /veɪn/
a blood vessel that carries blood from the capillaries toward the heart
From this reading As she stood with the letter in her hand, every nerve tingling, every vein throbbing, and every muscle as rigid as if it had been cast in metal, she could scarcely comprehend that it had really come--that she really held it.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading After all this waiting and hoping and trusting, here was news from Captain Horn--news by his own hand, now, here, this minute!
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A PROBLEM It was a little more than a week after Edna's adventure in the Gardens, and about ten o'clock in the morning, that something happened--something which proved that Mrs. Cliff was entirely right when she talked about the feeling in her bones.
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading A PROBLEM It was a little more than a week after Edna's adventure in the Gardens, and about ten o'clock in the morning, that something happened--something which proved that Mrs. Cliff was entirely right when she talked about the feeling in her bones.
at the time that
From this reading A PROBLEM It was a little more than a week after Edna's adventure in the Gardens, and about ten o'clock in the morning, that something happened--something which proved that Mrs. Cliff was entirely right when she talked about the feeling in her bones.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading A PROBLEM It was a little more than a week after Edna's adventure in the Gardens, and about ten o'clock in the morning, that something happened--something which proved that Mrs. Cliff was entirely right when she talked about the feeling in her bones.
in the company of; together with
From this reading As she stood with the letter in her hand, every nerve tingling, every vein throbbing, and every muscle as rigid as if it had been cast in metal, she could scarcely comprehend that it had really come--that she really held it.
