used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The two girls were waiting in front of a tumble-down little German station in the country, apparently several miles from any thickly settled spot.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The Meeting "They are not coming, Esther, and I am so dreadfully disappointed I think I shall weep," Betty Ashton announced one afternoon about two weeks later.
AdamsnounUS /ˈædəmz/
American Revolutionary leader and patriot; an organizer of the Boston Tea Party and signer of the Declaration of Independence (1722-1803)
From this reading Now, however, the train had pulled in and stopped, letting off several stout passengers, but revealing no sign of Polly O'Neill and the maid, whom Miss Adams was sending on ahead to make things ready for her.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading The Meeting "They are not coming, Esther, and I am so dreadfully disappointed I think I shall weep," Betty Ashton announced one afternoon about two weeks later.
at or in the front
From this reading Now, however, the train had pulled in and stopped, letting off several stout passengers, but revealing no sign of Polly O'Neill and the maid, whom Miss Adams was sending on ahead to make things ready for her.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading The Meeting "They are not coming, Esther, and I am so dreadfully disappointed I think I shall weep," Betty Ashton announced one afternoon about two weeks later.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The Meeting "They are not coming, Esther, and I am so dreadfully disappointed I think I shall weep," Betty Ashton announced one afternoon about two weeks later.
declared publicly; made widely known
From this reading The Meeting "They are not coming, Esther, and I am so dreadfully disappointed I think I shall weep," Betty Ashton announced one afternoon about two weeks later.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading The two girls were waiting in front of a tumble-down little German station in the country, apparently several miles from any thickly settled spot.
from appearances alone
From this reading The two girls were waiting in front of a tumble-down little German station in the country, apparently several miles from any thickly settled spot.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The Meeting "They are not coming, Esther, and I am so dreadfully disappointed I think I shall weep," Betty Ashton announced one afternoon about two weeks later.
AshtonnounUS /ˈæʃtən/
British choreographer (1906-1988)
From this reading The Meeting "They are not coming, Esther, and I am so dreadfully disappointed I think I shall weep," Betty Ashton announced one afternoon about two weeks later.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading A few moments before she had been walking rapidly up and down in far too great a state of excitement and pleasure to keep still.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading A few moments before she had been walking rapidly up and down in far too great a state of excitement and pleasure to keep still.
Betty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Meeting "They are not coming, Esther, and I am so dreadfully disappointed I think I shall weep," Betty Ashton announced one afternoon about two weeks later.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Esther was seated in a carriage with a driver, but Betty was leaning disconsolately over the station platform raised by a few steps from the ground.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Esther was seated in a carriage with a driver, but Betty was leaning disconsolately over the station platform raised by a few steps from the ground.
a railcar where passengers ride
From this reading Esther was seated in a carriage with a driver, but Betty was leaning disconsolately over the station platform raised by a few steps from the ground.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading The Meeting "They are not coming, Esther, and I am so dreadfully disappointed I think I shall weep," Betty Ashton announced one afternoon about two weeks later.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading The two girls were waiting in front of a tumble-down little German station in the country, apparently several miles from any thickly settled spot.
disappointingly unsuccessful
From this reading The Meeting "They are not coming, Esther, and I am so dreadfully disappointed I think I shall weep," Betty Ashton announced one afternoon about two weeks later.
disconsolatelyadverb
in grief-stricken loneliness; without comforting circumstances or prospects
From this reading Esther was seated in a carriage with a driver, but Betty was leaning disconsolately over the station platform raised by a few steps from the ground.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading A few moments before she had been walking rapidly up and down in far too great a state of excitement and pleasure to keep still.
dreadfullyadverbUS /ˈdredfəli/
of a dreadful kind
From this reading The Meeting "They are not coming, Esther, and I am so dreadfully disappointed I think I shall weep," Betty Ashton announced one afternoon about two weeks later.
the operator of a motor vehicle
From this reading Esther was seated in a carriage with a driver, but Betty was leaning disconsolately over the station platform raised by a few steps from the ground.
EsthernounUS /ˈestər/
(Old Testament) a beautiful Jewess chosen by the king of Persia to be his queen; she stopped a plot to massacre all the Jews in Persia (an event celebrated by Jews as the feast of Purim)
From this reading The Meeting "They are not coming, Esther, and I am so dreadfully disappointed I think I shall weep," Betty Ashton announced one afternoon about two weeks later.
the feeling of lively and cheerful joy
From this reading A few moments before she had been walking rapidly up and down in far too great a state of excitement and pleasure to keep still.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading A few moments before she had been walking rapidly up and down in far too great a state of excitement and pleasure to keep still.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Esther was seated in a carriage with a driver, but Betty was leaning disconsolately over the station platform raised by a few steps from the ground.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Now, however, the train had pulled in and stopped, letting off several stout passengers, but revealing no sign of Polly O'Neill and the maid, whom Miss Adams was sending on ahead to make things ready for her.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The two girls were waiting in front of a tumble-down little German station in the country, apparently several miles from any thickly settled spot.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading The two girls were waiting in front of a tumble-down little German station in the country, apparently several miles from any thickly settled spot.
a person of German nationality
From this reading The two girls were waiting in front of a tumble-down little German station in the country, apparently several miles from any thickly settled spot.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading The two girls were waiting in front of a tumble-down little German station in the country, apparently several miles from any thickly settled spot.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading A few moments before she had been walking rapidly up and down in far too great a state of excitement and pleasure to keep still.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading Esther was seated in a carriage with a driver, but Betty was leaning disconsolately over the station platform raised by a few steps from the ground.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A few moments before she had been walking rapidly up and down in far too great a state of excitement and pleasure to keep still.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Now, however, the train had pulled in and stopped, letting off several stout passengers, but revealing no sign of Polly O'Neill and the maid, whom Miss Adams was sending on ahead to make things ready for her.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading Now, however, the train had pulled in and stopped, letting off several stout passengers, but revealing no sign of Polly O'Neill and the maid, whom Miss Adams was sending on ahead to make things ready for her.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading The Meeting "They are not coming, Esther, and I am so dreadfully disappointed I think I shall weep," Betty Ashton announced one afternoon about two weeks later.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The two girls were waiting in front of a tumble-down little German station in the country, apparently several miles from any thickly settled spot.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading A few moments before she had been walking rapidly up and down in far too great a state of excitement and pleasure to keep still.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading The Meeting "They are not coming, Esther, and I am so dreadfully disappointed I think I shall weep," Betty Ashton announced one afternoon about two weeks later.
departing or being caused to depart from the true vertical or horizontal
From this reading Esther was seated in a carriage with a driver, but Betty was leaning disconsolately over the station platform raised by a few steps from the ground.
property that is leased or rented out or let
From this reading Now, however, the train had pulled in and stopped, letting off several stout passengers, but revealing no sign of Polly O'Neill and the maid, whom Miss Adams was sending on ahead to make things ready for her.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The two girls were waiting in front of a tumble-down little German station in the country, apparently several miles from any thickly settled spot.
a female domestic
From this reading Now, however, the train had pulled in and stopped, letting off several stout passengers, but revealing no sign of Polly O'Neill and the maid, whom Miss Adams was sending on ahead to make things ready for her.
engage in
From this reading Now, however, the train had pulled in and stopped, letting off several stout passengers, but revealing no sign of Polly O'Neill and the maid, whom Miss Adams was sending on ahead to make things ready for her.
a formally arranged gathering
From this reading The Meeting "They are not coming, Esther, and I am so dreadfully disappointed I think I shall weep," Betty Ashton announced one afternoon about two weeks later.
plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading The two girls were waiting in front of a tumble-down little German station in the country, apparently several miles from any thickly settled spot.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading Now, however, the train had pulled in and stopped, letting off several stout passengers, but revealing no sign of Polly O'Neill and the maid, whom Miss Adams was sending on ahead to make things ready for her.
plural of “moment” — a particular point in time
From this reading A few moments before she had been walking rapidly up and down in far too great a state of excitement and pleasure to keep still.
not any; not one
From this reading Now, however, the train had pulled in and stopped, letting off several stout passengers, but revealing no sign of Polly O'Neill and the maid, whom Miss Adams was sending on ahead to make things ready for her.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The Meeting "They are not coming, Esther, and I am so dreadfully disappointed I think I shall weep," Betty Ashton announced one afternoon about two weeks later.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now, however, the train had pulled in and stopped, letting off several stout passengers, but revealing no sign of Polly O'Neill and the maid, whom Miss Adams was sending on ahead to make things ready for her.
O'NeillnounUS /oʊˈniːl/
United States playwright (1888-1953)
From this reading Now, however, the train had pulled in and stopped, letting off several stout passengers, but revealing no sign of Polly O'Neill and the maid, whom Miss Adams was sending on ahead to make things ready for her.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The two girls were waiting in front of a tumble-down little German station in the country, apparently several miles from any thickly settled spot.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Now, however, the train had pulled in and stopped, letting off several stout passengers, but revealing no sign of Polly O'Neill and the maid, whom Miss Adams was sending on ahead to make things ready for her.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Now, however, the train had pulled in and stopped, letting off several stout passengers, but revealing no sign of Polly O'Neill and the maid, whom Miss Adams was sending on ahead to make things ready for her.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The Meeting "They are not coming, Esther, and I am so dreadfully disappointed I think I shall weep," Betty Ashton announced one afternoon about two weeks later.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Esther was seated in a carriage with a driver, but Betty was leaning disconsolately over the station platform raised by a few steps from the ground.
plural of “passenger” — a traveler riding in a vehicle (a boat or bus or car or plane or train etc) who is not operating it
From this reading Now, however, the train had pulled in and stopped, letting off several stout passengers, but revealing no sign of Polly O'Neill and the maid, whom Miss Adams was sending on ahead to make things ready for her.
a raised horizontal surface
From this reading Esther was seated in a carriage with a driver, but Betty was leaning disconsolately over the station platform raised by a few steps from the ground.
a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading A few moments before she had been walking rapidly up and down in far too great a state of excitement and pleasure to keep still.
Polly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now, however, the train had pulled in and stopped, letting off several stout passengers, but revealing no sign of Polly O'Neill and the maid, whom Miss Adams was sending on ahead to make things ready for her.
past form of “pull” — cause to move by pulling
From this reading Now, however, the train had pulled in and stopped, letting off several stout passengers, but revealing no sign of Polly O'Neill and the maid, whom Miss Adams was sending on ahead to make things ready for her.
located or moved above the surround or above the normal position
From this reading Esther was seated in a carriage with a driver, but Betty was leaning disconsolately over the station platform raised by a few steps from the ground.
with speed
From this reading A few moments before she had been walking rapidly up and down in far too great a state of excitement and pleasure to keep still.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading Now, however, the train had pulled in and stopped, letting off several stout passengers, but revealing no sign of Polly O'Neill and the maid, whom Miss Adams was sending on ahead to make things ready for her.
revealingadjectiveUS /rɪˈviːlɪŋ/
disclosing unintentionally something concealed
From this reading Now, however, the train had pulled in and stopped, letting off several stout passengers, but revealing no sign of Polly O'Neill and the maid, whom Miss Adams was sending on ahead to make things ready for her.
(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks
From this reading Esther was seated in a carriage with a driver, but Betty was leaning disconsolately over the station platform raised by a few steps from the ground.
the act of causing something to go (especially messages)
From this reading Now, however, the train had pulled in and stopped, letting off several stout passengers, but revealing no sign of Polly O'Neill and the maid, whom Miss Adams was sending on ahead to make things ready for her.
established or decided beyond dispute or doubt
From this reading The two girls were waiting in front of a tumble-down little German station in the country, apparently several miles from any thickly settled spot.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading The two girls were waiting in front of a tumble-down little German station in the country, apparently several miles from any thickly settled spot.
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading The Meeting "They are not coming, Esther, and I am so dreadfully disappointed I think I shall weep," Betty Ashton announced one afternoon about two weeks later.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A few moments before she had been walking rapidly up and down in far too great a state of excitement and pleasure to keep still.
a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading Now, however, the train had pulled in and stopped, letting off several stout passengers, but revealing no sign of Polly O'Neill and the maid, whom Miss Adams was sending on ahead to make things ready for her.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The Meeting "They are not coming, Esther, and I am so dreadfully disappointed I think I shall weep," Betty Ashton announced one afternoon about two weeks later.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading The two girls were waiting in front of a tumble-down little German station in the country, apparently several miles from any thickly settled spot.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading A few moments before she had been walking rapidly up and down in far too great a state of excitement and pleasure to keep still.
a facility equipped with special equipment and personnel for a particular purpose
From this reading The two girls were waiting in front of a tumble-down little German station in the country, apparently several miles from any thickly settled spot.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading Esther was seated in a carriage with a driver, but Betty was leaning disconsolately over the station platform raised by a few steps from the ground.
not in physical motion
From this reading A few moments before she had been walking rapidly up and down in far too great a state of excitement and pleasure to keep still.
(of a nose) blocked
From this reading Now, however, the train had pulled in and stopped, letting off several stout passengers, but revealing no sign of Polly O'Neill and the maid, whom Miss Adams was sending on ahead to make things ready for her.
dependable
From this reading Now, however, the train had pulled in and stopped, letting off several stout passengers, but revealing no sign of Polly O'Neill and the maid, whom Miss Adams was sending on ahead to make things ready for her.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Meeting "They are not coming, Esther, and I am so dreadfully disappointed I think I shall weep," Betty Ashton announced one afternoon about two weeks later.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The Meeting "They are not coming, Esther, and I am so dreadfully disappointed I think I shall weep," Betty Ashton announced one afternoon about two weeks later.
thicklyadverbUS /ˈθɪkli/
spoken with poor articulation as if with a thick tongue
From this reading The two girls were waiting in front of a tumble-down little German station in the country, apparently several miles from any thickly settled spot.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading Now, however, the train had pulled in and stopped, letting off several stout passengers, but revealing no sign of Polly O'Neill and the maid, whom Miss Adams was sending on ahead to make things ready for her.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading The Meeting "They are not coming, Esther, and I am so dreadfully disappointed I think I shall weep," Betty Ashton announced one afternoon about two weeks later.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A few moments before she had been walking rapidly up and down in far too great a state of excitement and pleasure to keep still.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading A few moments before she had been walking rapidly up and down in far too great a state of excitement and pleasure to keep still.
create by training and teaching
From this reading Now, however, the train had pulled in and stopped, letting off several stout passengers, but revealing no sign of Polly O'Neill and the maid, whom Miss Adams was sending on ahead to make things ready for her.
tumble-downadjective
in deplorable condition
From this reading The two girls were waiting in front of a tumble-down little German station in the country, apparently several miles from any thickly settled spot.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The Meeting "They are not coming, Esther, and I am so dreadfully disappointed I think I shall weep," Betty Ashton announced one afternoon about two weeks later.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading A few moments before she had been walking rapidly up and down in far too great a state of excitement and pleasure to keep still.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading The two girls were waiting in front of a tumble-down little German station in the country, apparently several miles from any thickly settled spot.
close enough to be walked to
From this reading A few moments before she had been walking rapidly up and down in far too great a state of excitement and pleasure to keep still.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Esther was seated in a carriage with a driver, but Betty was leaning disconsolately over the station platform raised by a few steps from the ground.
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading The Meeting "They are not coming, Esther, and I am so dreadfully disappointed I think I shall weep," Betty Ashton announced one afternoon about two weeks later.
weepverbUS /wiːp/
shed tears because of sadness, rage, or pain
From this reading The Meeting "They are not coming, Esther, and I am so dreadfully disappointed I think I shall weep," Betty Ashton announced one afternoon about two weeks later.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The two girls were waiting in front of a tumble-down little German station in the country, apparently several miles from any thickly settled spot.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Now, however, the train had pulled in and stopped, letting off several stout passengers, but revealing no sign of Polly O'Neill and the maid, whom Miss Adams was sending on ahead to make things ready for her.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Esther was seated in a carriage with a driver, but Betty was leaning disconsolately over the station platform raised by a few steps from the ground.
