Chapter XL · Chapter 40

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading A LITTLE GLEAM AFAR It was late in the autumn of that year, and upon a lonely moor in Scotland, that a poor old woman stood shivering in the cold wind.

(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something

From this reading But for many months no money had come from this wandering son, and it was very little that she had been able to earn.

(old-fashioned) at or from or to a great distance; far

From this reading A LITTLE GLEAM AFAR It was late in the autumn of that year, and upon a lonely moor in Scotland, that a poor old woman stood shivering in the cold wind.

Having no one else present.

From this reading For five or six years she had lived alone in that little hut.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading A LITTLE GLEAM AFAR It was late in the autumn of that year, and upon a lonely moor in Scotland, that a poor old woman stood shivering in the cold wind.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading It was a very poor place, but it kept out the wind and the rain and the snow, and it was a home to her, and for the greater part of these years in which she had lived there alone, she had received, at irregular and sometimes long intervals, sums of money, often very small and never large, from her son, who was a sailorman upon seas of which she did not even know the name.

the season when the leaves fall from the trees

From this reading A LITTLE GLEAM AFAR It was late in the autumn of that year, and upon a lonely moor in Scotland, that a poor old woman stood shivering in the cold wind.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading But for many months no money had come from this wandering son, and it was very little that she had been able to earn.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading It was a very poor place, but it kept out the wind and the rain and the snow, and it was a home to her, and for the greater part of these years in which she had lived there alone, she had received, at irregular and sometimes long intervals, sums of money, often very small and never large, from her son, who was a sailorman upon seas of which she did not even know the name.

having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration

From this reading A LITTLE GLEAM AFAR It was late in the autumn of that year, and upon a lonely moor in Scotland, that a poor old woman stood shivering in the cold wind.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading But for many months no money had come from this wandering son, and it was very little that she had been able to earn.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading It was a very poor place, but it kept out the wind and the rain and the snow, and it was a home to her, and for the greater part of these years in which she had lived there alone, she had received, at irregular and sometimes long intervals, sums of money, often very small and never large, from her son, who was a sailorman upon seas of which she did not even know the name.

the entrance (the space in a wall) through which you enter or leave a room or building; the space that a door can close

From this reading She was outside of a miserable little hut, in the doorway of which stood two men.

earn on some commercial or business transaction; earn as salary or wages

From this reading But for many months no money had come from this wandering son, and it was very little that she had been able to earn.

divisible by two

From this reading It was a very poor place, but it kept out the wind and the rain and the snow, and it was a home to her, and for the greater part of these years in which she had lived there alone, she had received, at irregular and sometimes long intervals, sums of money, often very small and never large, from her son, who was a sailorman upon seas of which she did not even know the name.

the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one

From this reading For five or six years she had lived alone in that little hut.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For five or six years she had lived alone in that little hut.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading It was a very poor place, but it kept out the wind and the rain and the snow, and it was a home to her, and for the greater part of these years in which she had lived there alone, she had received, at irregular and sometimes long intervals, sums of money, often very small and never large, from her son, who was a sailorman upon seas of which she did not even know the name.

be shiny, as if wet

From this reading A LITTLE GLEAM AFAR It was late in the autumn of that year, and upon a lonely moor in Scotland, that a poor old woman stood shivering in the cold wind.

greater in size or importance or degree

From this reading It was a very poor place, but it kept out the wind and the rain and the snow, and it was a home to her, and for the greater part of these years in which she had lived there alone, she had received, at irregular and sometimes long intervals, sums of money, often very small and never large, from her son, who was a sailorman upon seas of which she did not even know the name.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading For five or six years she had lived alone in that little hut.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading It was a very poor place, but it kept out the wind and the rain and the snow, and it was a home to her, and for the greater part of these years in which she had lived there alone, she had received, at irregular and sometimes long intervals, sums of money, often very small and never large, from her son, who was a sailorman upon seas of which she did not even know the name.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading It was a very poor place, but it kept out the wind and the rain and the snow, and it was a home to her, and for the greater part of these years in which she had lived there alone, she had received, at irregular and sometimes long intervals, sums of money, often very small and never large, from her son, who was a sailorman upon seas of which she did not even know the name.

temporary military shelter

From this reading She was outside of a miserable little hut, in the doorway of which stood two men.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading A LITTLE GLEAM AFAR It was late in the autumn of that year, and upon a lonely moor in Scotland, that a poor old woman stood shivering in the cold wind.

plural of “interval” — a definite length of time marked off by two instants

From this reading It was a very poor place, but it kept out the wind and the rain and the snow, and it was a home to her, and for the greater part of these years in which she had lived there alone, she had received, at irregular and sometimes long intervals, sums of money, often very small and never large, from her son, who was a sailorman upon seas of which she did not even know the name.

contrary to rule or accepted order or general practice

From this reading It was a very poor place, but it kept out the wind and the rain and the snow, and it was a home to her, and for the greater part of these years in which she had lived there alone, she had received, at irregular and sometimes long intervals, sums of money, often very small and never large, from her son, who was a sailorman upon seas of which she did not even know the name.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading A LITTLE GLEAM AFAR It was late in the autumn of that year, and upon a lonely moor in Scotland, that a poor old woman stood shivering in the cold wind.

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading It was a very poor place, but it kept out the wind and the rain and the snow, and it was a home to her, and for the greater part of these years in which she had lived there alone, she had received, at irregular and sometimes long intervals, sums of money, often very small and never large, from her son, who was a sailorman upon seas of which she did not even know the name.

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading It was a very poor place, but it kept out the wind and the rain and the snow, and it was a home to her, and for the greater part of these years in which she had lived there alone, she had received, at irregular and sometimes long intervals, sums of money, often very small and never large, from her son, who was a sailorman upon seas of which she did not even know the name.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading It was a very poor place, but it kept out the wind and the rain and the snow, and it was a home to her, and for the greater part of these years in which she had lived there alone, she had received, at irregular and sometimes long intervals, sums of money, often very small and never large, from her son, who was a sailorman upon seas of which she did not even know the name.

being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time

From this reading A LITTLE GLEAM AFAR It was late in the autumn of that year, and upon a lonely moor in Scotland, that a poor old woman stood shivering in the cold wind.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading A LITTLE GLEAM AFAR It was late in the autumn of that year, and upon a lonely moor in Scotland, that a poor old woman stood shivering in the cold wind.

past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading For five or six years she had lived alone in that little hut.

lacking companions or companionship

From this reading A LITTLE GLEAM AFAR It was late in the autumn of that year, and upon a lonely moor in Scotland, that a poor old woman stood shivering in the cold wind.

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 It was a very poor place, but it kept out the wind and the rain and the snow, and it was a home to her, and for the greater part of these years in which she had lived there alone, she had received, at irregular and sometimes long intervals, sums of money, often very small and never large, from her son, who was a sailorman upon seas of which she did not even know the name.

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 But for many months no money had come from this wandering son, and it was very little that she had been able to earn.

the force of workers available

From this reading She was outside of a miserable little hut, in the doorway of which stood two men.

very unhappy; full of misery

From this reading She was outside of a miserable little hut, in the doorway of which stood two men.

the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender

From this reading It was a very poor place, but it kept out the wind and the rain and the snow, and it was a home to her, and for the greater part of these years in which she had lived there alone, she had received, at irregular and sometimes long intervals, sums of money, often very small and never large, from her son, who was a sailorman upon seas of which she did not even know the name.

plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year

From this reading But for many months no money had come from this wandering son, and it was very little that she had been able to earn.

secure in or as if in a berth or dock

From this reading A LITTLE GLEAM AFAR It was late in the autumn of that year, and upon a lonely moor in Scotland, that a poor old woman stood shivering in the cold wind.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading It was a very poor place, but it kept out the wind and the rain and the snow, and it was a home to her, and for the greater part of these years in which she had lived there alone, she had received, at irregular and sometimes long intervals, sums of money, often very small and never large, from her son, who was a sailorman upon seas of which she did not even know the name.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading It was a very poor place, but it kept out the wind and the rain and the snow, and it was a home to her, and for the greater part of these years in which she had lived there alone, she had received, at irregular and sometimes long intervals, sums of money, often very small and never large, from her son, who was a sailorman upon seas of which she did not even know the name.

not any; not one

From this reading But for many months no money had come from this wandering son, and it was very little that she had been able to earn.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It was a very poor place, but it kept out the wind and the rain and the snow, and it was a home to her, and for the greater part of these years in which she had lived there alone, she had received, at irregular and sometimes long intervals, sums of money, often very small and never large, from her son, who was a sailorman upon seas of which she did not even know the name.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A LITTLE GLEAM AFAR It was late in the autumn of that year, and upon a lonely moor in Scotland, that a poor old woman stood shivering in the cold wind.

many times at short intervals

From this reading It was a very poor place, but it kept out the wind and the rain and the snow, and it was a home to her, and for the greater part of these years in which she had lived there alone, she had received, at irregular and sometimes long intervals, sums of money, often very small and never large, from her son, who was a sailorman upon seas of which she did not even know the name.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading A LITTLE GLEAM AFAR It was late in the autumn of that year, and upon a lonely moor in Scotland, that a poor old woman stood shivering in the cold wind.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading For five or six years she had lived alone in that little hut.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading It was a very poor place, but it kept out the wind and the rain and the snow, and it was a home to her, and for the greater part of these years in which she had lived there alone, she had received, at irregular and sometimes long intervals, sums of money, often very small and never large, from her son, who was a sailorman upon seas of which she did not even know the name.

relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit

From this reading She was outside of a miserable little hut, in the doorway of which stood two men.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading It was a very poor place, but it kept out the wind and the rain and the snow, and it was a home to her, and for the greater part of these years in which she had lived there alone, she had received, at irregular and sometimes long intervals, sums of money, often very small and never large, from her son, who was a sailorman upon seas of which she did not even know the name.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading It was a very poor place, but it kept out the wind and the rain and the snow, and it was a home to her, and for the greater part of these years in which she had lived there alone, she had received, at irregular and sometimes long intervals, sums of money, often very small and never large, from her son, who was a sailorman upon seas of which she did not even know the name.

deserving or inciting pity

From this reading A LITTLE GLEAM AFAR It was late in the autumn of that year, and upon a lonely moor in Scotland, that a poor old woman stood shivering in the cold wind.

water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere

From this reading It was a very poor place, but it kept out the wind and the rain and the snow, and it was a home to her, and for the greater part of these years in which she had lived there alone, she had received, at irregular and sometimes long intervals, sums of money, often very small and never large, from her son, who was a sailorman upon seas of which she did not even know the name.

conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers

From this reading It was a very poor place, but it kept out the wind and the rain and the snow, and it was a home to her, and for the greater part of these years in which she had lived there alone, she had received, at irregular and sometimes long intervals, sums of money, often very small and never large, from her son, who was a sailorman upon seas of which she did not even know the name.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was a very poor place, but it kept out the wind and the rain and the snow, and it was a home to her, and for the greater part of these years in which she had lived there alone, she had received, at irregular and sometimes long intervals, sums of money, often very small and never large, from her son, who was a sailorman upon seas of which she did not even know the name.

one of the four countries that make up the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; located on the northern part of the island of Great Britain; famous for bagpipes and plaids and kilts

From this reading A LITTLE GLEAM AFAR It was late in the autumn of that year, and upon a lonely moor in Scotland, that a poor old woman stood shivering in the cold wind.

plural of “sea” — a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land

From this reading It was a very poor place, but it kept out the wind and the rain and the snow, and it was a home to her, and for the greater part of these years in which she had lived there alone, she had received, at irregular and sometimes long intervals, sums of money, often very small and never large, from her son, who was a sailorman upon seas of which she did not even know the name.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading She was outside of a miserable little hut, in the doorway of which stood two men.

a sensation of cold that often marks the start of an infection and the development of a fever

From this reading A LITTLE GLEAM AFAR It was late in the autumn of that year, and upon a lonely moor in Scotland, that a poor old woman stood shivering in the cold wind.

the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one

From this reading For five or six years she had lived alone in that little hut.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading It was a very poor place, but it kept out the wind and the rain and the snow, and it was a home to her, and for the greater part of these years in which she had lived there alone, she had received, at irregular and sometimes long intervals, sums of money, often very small and never large, from her son, who was a sailorman upon seas of which she did not even know the name.

precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals

From this reading It was a very poor place, but it kept out the wind and the rain and the snow, and it was a home to her, and for the greater part of these years in which she had lived there alone, she had received, at irregular and sometimes long intervals, sums of money, often very small and never large, from her son, who was a sailorman upon seas of which she did not even know the name.

on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always

From this reading It was a very poor place, but it kept out the wind and the rain and the snow, and it was a home to her, and for the greater part of these years in which she had lived there alone, she had received, at irregular and sometimes long intervals, sums of money, often very small and never large, from her son, who was a sailorman upon seas of which she did not even know the name.

a male human offspring

From this reading It was a very poor place, but it kept out the wind and the rain and the snow, and it was a home to her, and for the greater part of these years in which she had lived there alone, she had received, at irregular and sometimes long intervals, sums of money, often very small and never large, from her son, who was a sailorman upon seas of which she did not even know the name.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading A LITTLE GLEAM AFAR It was late in the autumn of that year, and upon a lonely moor in Scotland, that a poor old woman stood shivering in the cold wind.

plural of “sum” — a quantity of money

From this reading It was a very poor place, but it kept out the wind and the rain and the snow, and it was a home to her, and for the greater part of these years in which she had lived there alone, she had received, at irregular and sometimes long intervals, sums of money, often very small and never large, from her son, who was a sailorman upon seas of which she did not even know the name.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading A LITTLE GLEAM AFAR It was late in the autumn of that year, and upon a lonely moor in Scotland, that a poor old woman stood shivering in the cold wind.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading A LITTLE GLEAM AFAR It was late in the autumn of that year, and upon a lonely moor in Scotland, that a poor old woman stood shivering in the cold wind.

in or at that place or location

From this reading It was a very poor place, but it kept out the wind and the rain and the snow, and it was a home to her, and for the greater part of these years in which she had lived there alone, she had received, at irregular and sometimes long intervals, sums of money, often very small and never large, from her son, who was a sailorman upon seas of which she did not even know the name.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading It was a very poor place, but it kept out the wind and the rain and the snow, and it was a home to her, and for the greater part of these years in which she had lived there alone, she had received, at irregular and sometimes long intervals, sums of money, often very small and never large, from her son, who was a sailorman upon seas of which she did not even know the name.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading But for many months no money had come from this wandering son, and it was very little that she had been able to earn.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading It was a very poor place, but it kept out the wind and the rain and the snow, and it was a home to her, and for the greater part of these years in which she had lived there alone, she had received, at irregular and sometimes long intervals, sums of money, often very small and never large, from her son, who was a sailorman upon seas of which she did not even know the name.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading She was outside of a miserable little hut, in the doorway of which stood two men.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading A LITTLE GLEAM AFAR It was late in the autumn of that year, and upon a lonely moor in Scotland, that a poor old woman stood shivering in the cold wind.

precisely as stated

From this reading It was a very poor place, but it kept out the wind and the rain and the snow, and it was a home to her, and for the greater part of these years in which she had lived there alone, she had received, at irregular and sometimes long intervals, sums of money, often very small and never large, from her son, who was a sailorman upon seas of which she did not even know the name.

migratory

From this reading But for many months no money had come from this wandering son, and it was very little that she had been able to earn.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading A LITTLE GLEAM AFAR It was late in the autumn of that year, and upon a lonely moor in Scotland, that a poor old woman stood shivering in the cold wind.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading She was outside of a miserable little hut, in the doorway of which stood two men.

which person or people

From this reading It was a very poor place, but it kept out the wind and the rain and the snow, and it was a home to her, and for the greater part of these years in which she had lived there alone, she had received, at irregular and sometimes long intervals, sums of money, often very small and never large, from her son, who was a sailorman upon seas of which she did not even know the name.

air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

From this reading A LITTLE GLEAM AFAR It was late in the autumn of that year, and upon a lonely moor in Scotland, that a poor old woman stood shivering in the cold wind.

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading A LITTLE GLEAM AFAR It was late in the autumn of that year, and upon a lonely moor in Scotland, that a poor old woman stood shivering in the cold wind.

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading A LITTLE GLEAM AFAR It was late in the autumn of that year, and upon a lonely moor in Scotland, that a poor old woman stood shivering in the cold wind.

a late time of life

From this reading For five or six years she had lived alone in that little hut.