used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There was in Mrs. Willoughby a certain instinctive feeling that if any rescue came, it would come from the land side; and, therefore, though the hope was faint indeed, it nevertheless was sufficiently well defined to inspire her with an uneasy and incessant vigilance.
affordingverbUS /əˈfɔːrdɪŋ/
-ing form of “afford” — be able to spare or give up
From this reading They had chosen the seat as affording some prospect of the outer world.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading There was in Mrs. Willoughby a certain instinctive feeling that if any rescue came, it would come from the land side; and, therefore, though the hope was faint indeed, it nevertheless was sufficiently well defined to inspire her with an uneasy and incessant vigilance.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Minnie and Mrs. Willoughby happened at that time to be sitting on the floor by the window, one on each side, and they were looking out.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading There was in Mrs. Willoughby a certain instinctive feeling that if any rescue came, it would come from the land side; and, therefore, though the hope was faint indeed, it nevertheless was sufficiently well defined to inspire her with an uneasy and incessant vigilance.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading When Dacres made his attempt upon the house he was not so unobserved as he supposed himself to be.
ASUNDERadjectiveUS /əˈsʌndər/
widely separated especially in space
From this reading TORN ASUNDER.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Minnie and Mrs. Willoughby happened at that time to be sitting on the floor by the window, one on each side, and they were looking out.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading When Dacres made his attempt upon the house he was not so unobserved as he supposed himself to be.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading When Dacres made his attempt upon the house he was not so unobserved as he supposed himself to be.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Minnie and Mrs. Willoughby happened at that time to be sitting on the floor by the window, one on each side, and they were looking out.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading There was in Mrs. Willoughby a certain instinctive feeling that if any rescue came, it would come from the land side; and, therefore, though the hope was faint indeed, it nevertheless was sufficiently well defined to inspire her with an uneasy and incessant vigilance.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading There was in Mrs. Willoughby a certain instinctive feeling that if any rescue came, it would come from the land side; and, therefore, though the hope was faint indeed, it nevertheless was sufficiently well defined to inspire her with an uneasy and incessant vigilance.
one who is the object of choice; who is given preference
From this reading They had chosen the seat as affording some prospect of the outer world.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading There was in Mrs. Willoughby a certain instinctive feeling that if any rescue came, it would come from the land side; and, therefore, though the hope was faint indeed, it nevertheless was sufficiently well defined to inspire her with an uneasy and incessant vigilance.
Dacres
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Dacres made his attempt upon the house he was not so unobserved as he supposed himself to be.
definedadjectiveUS /dɪˈfaɪnd/
clearly characterized or delimited
From this reading There was in Mrs. Willoughby a certain instinctive feeling that if any rescue came, it would come from the land side; and, therefore, though the hope was faint indeed, it nevertheless was sufficiently well defined to inspire her with an uneasy and incessant vigilance.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Minnie and Mrs. Willoughby happened at that time to be sitting on the floor by the window, one on each side, and they were looking out.
deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc
From this reading There was in Mrs. Willoughby a certain instinctive feeling that if any rescue came, it would come from the land side; and, therefore, though the hope was faint indeed, it nevertheless was sufficiently well defined to inspire her with an uneasy and incessant vigilance.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading There was in Mrs. Willoughby a certain instinctive feeling that if any rescue came, it would come from the land side; and, therefore, though the hope was faint indeed, it nevertheless was sufficiently well defined to inspire her with an uneasy and incessant vigilance.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading Minnie and Mrs. Willoughby happened at that time to be sitting on the floor by the window, one on each side, and they were looking out.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading There was in Mrs. Willoughby a certain instinctive feeling that if any rescue came, it would come from the land side; and, therefore, though the hope was faint indeed, it nevertheless was sufficiently well defined to inspire her with an uneasy and incessant vigilance.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading They had chosen the seat as affording some prospect of the outer world.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading Minnie and Mrs. Willoughby happened at that time to be sitting on the floor by the window, one on each side, and they were looking out.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When Dacres made his attempt upon the house he was not so unobserved as he supposed himself to be.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading There was in Mrs. Willoughby a certain instinctive feeling that if any rescue came, it would come from the land side; and, therefore, though the hope was faint indeed, it nevertheless was sufficiently well defined to inspire her with an uneasy and incessant vigilance.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading When Dacres made his attempt upon the house he was not so unobserved as he supposed himself to be.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading When Dacres made his attempt upon the house he was not so unobserved as he supposed himself to be.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading There was in Mrs. Willoughby a certain instinctive feeling that if any rescue came, it would come from the land side; and, therefore, though the hope was faint indeed, it nevertheless was sufficiently well defined to inspire her with an uneasy and incessant vigilance.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading When Dacres made his attempt upon the house he was not so unobserved as he supposed himself to be.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading There was in Mrs. Willoughby a certain instinctive feeling that if any rescue came, it would come from the land side; and, therefore, though the hope was faint indeed, it nevertheless was sufficiently well defined to inspire her with an uneasy and incessant vigilance.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There was in Mrs. Willoughby a certain instinctive feeling that if any rescue came, it would come from the land side; and, therefore, though the hope was faint indeed, it nevertheless was sufficiently well defined to inspire her with an uneasy and incessant vigilance.
incessantadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈsesənt/
uninterrupted in time and indefinitely long continuing
From this reading There was in Mrs. Willoughby a certain instinctive feeling that if any rescue came, it would come from the land side; and, therefore, though the hope was faint indeed, it nevertheless was sufficiently well defined to inspire her with an uneasy and incessant vigilance.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading There was in Mrs. Willoughby a certain instinctive feeling that if any rescue came, it would come from the land side; and, therefore, though the hope was faint indeed, it nevertheless was sufficiently well defined to inspire her with an uneasy and incessant vigilance.
inspireverbUS /ˌɪnˈspaɪr/
heighten or intensify
From this reading There was in Mrs. Willoughby a certain instinctive feeling that if any rescue came, it would come from the land side; and, therefore, though the hope was faint indeed, it nevertheless was sufficiently well defined to inspire her with an uneasy and incessant vigilance.
instinctiveadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈstɪŋktɪv/
unthinking; prompted by (or as if by) instinct
From this reading There was in Mrs. Willoughby a certain instinctive feeling that if any rescue came, it would come from the land side; and, therefore, though the hope was faint indeed, it nevertheless was sufficiently well defined to inspire her with an uneasy and incessant vigilance.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading There was in Mrs. Willoughby a certain instinctive feeling that if any rescue came, it would come from the land side; and, therefore, though the hope was faint indeed, it nevertheless was sufficiently well defined to inspire her with an uneasy and incessant vigilance.
the land on which real estate is located
From this reading There was in Mrs. Willoughby a certain instinctive feeling that if any rescue came, it would come from the land side; and, therefore, though the hope was faint indeed, it nevertheless was sufficiently well defined to inspire her with an uneasy and incessant vigilance.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading Minnie and Mrs. Willoughby happened at that time to be sitting on the floor by the window, one on each side, and they were looking out.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading When Dacres made his attempt upon the house he was not so unobserved as he supposed himself to be.
Minnie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Minnie and Mrs. Willoughby happened at that time to be sitting on the floor by the window, one on each side, and they were looking out.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Minnie and Mrs. Willoughby happened at that time to be sitting on the floor by the window, one on each side, and they were looking out.
in spite of what has just been said
From this reading There was in Mrs. Willoughby a certain instinctive feeling that if any rescue came, it would come from the land side; and, therefore, though the hope was faint indeed, it nevertheless was sufficiently well defined to inspire her with an uneasy and incessant vigilance.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading When Dacres made his attempt upon the house he was not so unobserved as he supposed himself to be.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading They had chosen the seat as affording some prospect of the outer world.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Minnie and Mrs. Willoughby happened at that time to be sitting on the floor by the window, one on each side, and they were looking out.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Minnie and Mrs. Willoughby happened at that time to be sitting on the floor by the window, one on each side, and they were looking out.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Minnie and Mrs. Willoughby happened at that time to be sitting on the floor by the window, one on each side, and they were looking out.
outeradjectiveUS /ˈaʊtər/
being on the outside or further from a center
From this reading They had chosen the seat as affording some prospect of the outer world.
the possibility of future success
From this reading They had chosen the seat as affording some prospect of the outer world.
rescueverbUS /ˈreskjuː/
free from harm or evil
From this reading There was in Mrs. Willoughby a certain instinctive feeling that if any rescue came, it would come from the land side; and, therefore, though the hope was faint indeed, it nevertheless was sufficiently well defined to inspire her with an uneasy and incessant vigilance.
a space reserved for sitting (as in a theater or on a train or airplane)
From this reading They had chosen the seat as affording some prospect of the outer world.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading Minnie and Mrs. Willoughby happened at that time to be sitting on the floor by the window, one on each side, and they were looking out.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading Minnie and Mrs. Willoughby happened at that time to be sitting on the floor by the window, one on each side, and they were looking out.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading When Dacres made his attempt upon the house he was not so unobserved as he supposed himself to be.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading They had chosen the seat as affording some prospect of the outer world.
to a sufficient degree
From this reading There was in Mrs. Willoughby a certain instinctive feeling that if any rescue came, it would come from the land side; and, therefore, though the hope was faint indeed, it nevertheless was sufficiently well defined to inspire her with an uneasy and incessant vigilance.
required or under orders
From this reading When Dacres made his attempt upon the house he was not so unobserved as he supposed himself to be.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Minnie and Mrs. Willoughby happened at that time to be sitting on the floor by the window, one on each side, and they were looking out.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When Dacres made his attempt upon the house he was not so unobserved as he supposed himself to be.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was in Mrs. Willoughby a certain instinctive feeling that if any rescue came, it would come from the land side; and, therefore, though the hope was faint indeed, it nevertheless was sufficiently well defined to inspire her with an uneasy and incessant vigilance.
for that reason; as a result
From this reading There was in Mrs. Willoughby a certain instinctive feeling that if any rescue came, it would come from the land side; and, therefore, though the hope was faint indeed, it nevertheless was sufficiently well defined to inspire her with an uneasy and incessant vigilance.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Minnie and Mrs. Willoughby happened at that time to be sitting on the floor by the window, one on each side, and they were looking out.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading There was in Mrs. Willoughby a certain instinctive feeling that if any rescue came, it would come from the land side; and, therefore, though the hope was faint indeed, it nevertheless was sufficiently well defined to inspire her with an uneasy and incessant vigilance.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Minnie and Mrs. Willoughby happened at that time to be sitting on the floor by the window, one on each side, and they were looking out.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When Dacres made his attempt upon the house he was not so unobserved as he supposed himself to be.
having edges that are jagged from injury
From this reading TORN ASUNDER.
lacking a sense of security or affording no ease or reassurance
From this reading There was in Mrs. Willoughby a certain instinctive feeling that if any rescue came, it would come from the land side; and, therefore, though the hope was faint indeed, it nevertheless was sufficiently well defined to inspire her with an uneasy and incessant vigilance.
unobservedadjective
not seen or observed
From this reading When Dacres made his attempt upon the house he was not so unobserved as he supposed himself to be.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading When Dacres made his attempt upon the house he was not so unobserved as he supposed himself to be.
vigilancenounUS /ˈvɪdʒələns/
the process of paying close and continuous attention
From this reading There was in Mrs. Willoughby a certain instinctive feeling that if any rescue came, it would come from the land side; and, therefore, though the hope was faint indeed, it nevertheless was sufficiently well defined to inspire her with an uneasy and incessant vigilance.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When Dacres made his attempt upon the house he was not so unobserved as he supposed himself to be.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading There was in Mrs. Willoughby a certain instinctive feeling that if any rescue came, it would come from the land side; and, therefore, though the hope was faint indeed, it nevertheless was sufficiently well defined to inspire her with an uneasy and incessant vigilance.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Minnie and Mrs. Willoughby happened at that time to be sitting on the floor by the window, one on each side, and they were looking out.
at the time that
From this reading When Dacres made his attempt upon the house he was not so unobserved as he supposed himself to be.
Willoughby
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Minnie and Mrs. Willoughby happened at that time to be sitting on the floor by the window, one on each side, and they were looking out.
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 Minnie and Mrs. Willoughby happened at that time to be sitting on the floor by the window, one on each side, and they were looking out.
in the company of; together with
From this reading There was in Mrs. Willoughby a certain instinctive feeling that if any rescue came, it would come from the land side; and, therefore, though the hope was faint indeed, it nevertheless was sufficiently well defined to inspire her with an uneasy and incessant vigilance.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading They had chosen the seat as affording some prospect of the outer world.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading There was in Mrs. Willoughby a certain instinctive feeling that if any rescue came, it would come from the land side; and, therefore, though the hope was faint indeed, it nevertheless was sufficiently well defined to inspire her with an uneasy and incessant vigilance.
