used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading And first, being a woman, that something occurred to her in connexion with hot water.
giving or marked by complete attention to
From this reading How conclusive it would be to wait till the porcupines were absorbed in their consumption of the herring-tub, and then pour scalding water down upon them.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After all, it was more important that she should vanquish her enemies than prove to a mere man that they really were her enemies.
(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, it was more important that she should vanquish her enemies than prove to a mere man that they really were her enemies.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading But the memory of her triumph of the previous night was tingling in her veins, and she only knew she wanted to lure the porcupines back, that she might do _something_ to them.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At first her purpose in this was not quite clear to herself.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading But the memory of her triumph of the previous night was tingling in her veins, and she only knew she wanted to lure the porcupines back, that she might do _something_ to them.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading How conclusive it would be to wait till the porcupines were absorbed in their consumption of the herring-tub, and then pour scalding water down upon them.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading And first, being a woman, that something occurred to her in connexion with hot water.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the memory of her triumph of the previous night was tingling in her veins, and she only knew she wanted to lure the porcupines back, that she might do _something_ to them.
rid of obstructions
From this reading At first her purpose in this was not quite clear to herself.
conclusiveadjectiveUS /kənˈkluːsɪv/
forming an end or termination; especially putting an end to doubt or question
From this reading How conclusive it would be to wait till the porcupines were absorbed in their consumption of the herring-tub, and then pour scalding water down upon them.
connexionnounUS /kəˈnekʃən/
a connecting shape
From this reading And first, being a woman, that something occurred to her in connexion with hot water.
consumptionnounUS /kənˈsʌmpʃən/
the process of taking food into the body through the mouth (as by eating)
From this reading How conclusive it would be to wait till the porcupines were absorbed in their consumption of the herring-tub, and then pour scalding water down upon them.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading But the memory of her triumph of the previous night was tingling in her veins, and she only knew she wanted to lure the porcupines back, that she might do _something_ to them.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading How conclusive it would be to wait till the porcupines were absorbed in their consumption of the herring-tub, and then pour scalding water down upon them.
plural of “enemy” — an opposing military force
From this reading After all, it was more important that she should vanquish her enemies than prove to a mere man that they really were her enemies.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading At first her purpose in this was not quite clear to herself.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading At first her purpose in this was not quite clear to herself.
herring-tub
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How conclusive it would be to wait till the porcupines were absorbed in their consumption of the herring-tub, and then pour scalding water down upon them.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading At first her purpose in this was not quite clear to herself.
used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning
From this reading And first, being a woman, that something occurred to her in connexion with hot water.
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How conclusive it would be to wait till the porcupines were absorbed in their consumption of the herring-tub, and then pour scalding water down upon them.
of great significance or value
From this reading After all, it was more important that she should vanquish her enemies than prove to a mere man that they really were her enemies.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading At first her purpose in this was not quite clear to herself.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading How conclusive it would be to wait till the porcupines were absorbed in their consumption of the herring-tub, and then pour scalding water down upon them.
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 But the memory of her triumph of the previous night was tingling in her veins, and she only knew she wanted to lure the porcupines back, that she might do _something_ to them.
lurenounUS /lʊr/
qualities that attract by seeming to promise some kind of reward
From this reading But the memory of her triumph of the previous night was tingling in her veins, and she only knew she wanted to lure the porcupines back, that she might do _something_ to them.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading After all, it was more important that she should vanquish her enemies than prove to a mere man that they really were her enemies.
The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.
From this reading But the memory of her triumph of the previous night was tingling in her veins, and she only knew she wanted to lure the porcupines back, that she might do _something_ to them.
being nothing more than specified
From this reading After all, it was more important that she should vanquish her enemies than prove to a mere man that they really were her enemies.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading But the memory of her triumph of the previous night was tingling in her veins, and she only knew she wanted to lure the porcupines back, that she might do _something_ to them.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading After all, it was more important that she should vanquish her enemies than prove to a mere man that they really were her enemies.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading But the memory of her triumph of the previous night was tingling in her veins, and she only knew she wanted to lure the porcupines back, that she might do _something_ to them.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading At first her purpose in this was not quite clear to herself.
inflected form of “occur” — come to pass
From this reading And first, being a woman, that something occurred to her in connexion with hot water.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading But the memory of her triumph of the previous night was tingling in her veins, and she only knew she wanted to lure the porcupines back, that she might do _something_ to them.
and nothing more
From this reading But the memory of her triumph of the previous night was tingling in her veins, and she only knew she wanted to lure the porcupines back, that she might do _something_ to them.
porcupinesnounUS /ˈpɔːrkjəpaɪnz/
meat patties rolled in rice and simmered in a tomato sauce
From this reading But the memory of her triumph of the previous night was tingling in her veins, and she only knew she wanted to lure the porcupines back, that she might do _something_ to them.
pourverbUS /pɔːr/
cause to run
From this reading How conclusive it would be to wait till the porcupines were absorbed in their consumption of the herring-tub, and then pour scalding water down upon them.
just preceding something else in time or order
From this reading But the memory of her triumph of the previous night was tingling in her veins, and she only knew she wanted to lure the porcupines back, that she might do _something_ to them.
be shown or be found to be
From this reading After all, it was more important that she should vanquish her enemies than prove to a mere man that they really were her enemies.
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading At first her purpose in this was not quite clear to herself.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading At first her purpose in this was not quite clear to herself.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading After all, it was more important that she should vanquish her enemies than prove to a mere man that they really were her enemies.
scaldingverbUS /ˈskɔːldɪŋ/
-ing form of “scald” — subject to harsh criticism
From this reading How conclusive it would be to wait till the porcupines were absorbed in their consumption of the herring-tub, and then pour scalding water down upon them.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But the memory of her triumph of the previous night was tingling in her veins, and she only knew she wanted to lure the porcupines back, that she might do _something_ to them.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading After all, it was more important that she should vanquish her enemies than prove to a mere man that they really were her enemies.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading But the memory of her triumph of the previous night was tingling in her veins, and she only knew she wanted to lure the porcupines back, that she might do _something_ to them.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading After all, it was more important that she should vanquish her enemies than prove to a mere man that they really were her enemies.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But the memory of her triumph of the previous night was tingling in her veins, and she only knew she wanted to lure the porcupines back, that she might do _something_ to them.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading But the memory of her triumph of the previous night was tingling in her veins, and she only knew she wanted to lure the porcupines back, that she might do _something_ to them.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading How conclusive it would be to wait till the porcupines were absorbed in their consumption of the herring-tub, and then pour scalding water down upon them.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading But the memory of her triumph of the previous night was tingling in her veins, and she only knew she wanted to lure the porcupines back, that she might do _something_ to them.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading How conclusive it would be to wait till the porcupines were absorbed in their consumption of the herring-tub, and then pour scalding water down upon them.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading After all, it was more important that she should vanquish her enemies than prove to a mere man that they really were her enemies.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading At first her purpose in this was not quite clear to herself.
up to a particular time
From this reading How conclusive it would be to wait till the porcupines were absorbed in their consumption of the herring-tub, and then pour scalding water down upon them.
tinglingadjectiveUS /ˈtɪŋɡəlɪŋ/
exciting by touching lightly so as to cause laughter or twitching movements
From this reading But the memory of her triumph of the previous night was tingling in her veins, and she only knew she wanted to lure the porcupines back, that she might do _something_ to them.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading At first her purpose in this was not quite clear to herself.
a successful ending of a struggle or contest
From this reading But the memory of her triumph of the previous night was tingling in her veins, and she only knew she wanted to lure the porcupines back, that she might do _something_ to them.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading How conclusive it would be to wait till the porcupines were absorbed in their consumption of the herring-tub, and then pour scalding water down upon them.
vanquishverbUS /ˈvæŋkwɪʃ/
come out better in a competition, race, or conflict
From this reading After all, it was more important that she should vanquish her enemies than prove to a mere man that they really were her enemies.
veinsnounUS /veɪnz/
plural of “vein” — a blood vessel that carries blood from the capillaries toward the heart
From this reading But the memory of her triumph of the previous night was tingling in her veins, and she only knew she wanted to lure the porcupines back, that she might do _something_ to them.
stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading How conclusive it would be to wait till the porcupines were absorbed in their consumption of the herring-tub, and then pour scalding water down upon them.
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading But the memory of her triumph of the previous night was tingling in her veins, and she only knew she wanted to lure the porcupines back, that she might do _something_ to them.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading At first her purpose in this was not quite clear to herself.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading And first, being a woman, that something occurred to her in connexion with hot water.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading How conclusive it would be to wait till the porcupines were absorbed in their consumption of the herring-tub, and then pour scalding water down upon them.
in the company of; together with
From this reading And first, being a woman, that something occurred to her in connexion with hot water.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading And first, being a woman, that something occurred to her in connexion with hot water.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading How conclusive it would be to wait till the porcupines were absorbed in their consumption of the herring-tub, and then pour scalding water down upon them.
