Chapter XIX · Memories

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

From this reading Esther was engaged for another half hour with a music lesson and besides Betty wished to see that the house was in order for her visitors.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading First she went straight to her mother's room, but there the pictures were covered with sheets, the mattress rolled up, the curtains down, and the tables and mantel so bare of ornament that Betty hurried away to her own blue sitting room across the hall.

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading It was a curious sensation to come home alone and to wander from one end of the big house to the other, hearing only the sound of her own footsteps, for Mrs. Mitchell, the caretaker, was in the kitchen preparing afternoon tea to be served the guests a little later, while her husband was working in the yard.

Having no one else present.

From this reading It was a curious sensation to come home alone and to wander from one end of the big house to the other, hearing only the sound of her own footsteps, for Mrs. Mitchell, the caretaker, was in the kitchen preparing afternoon tea to be served the guests a little later, while her husband was working in the yard.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading Betty had an uncomfortable feeling of desolation, as though she were a kind of a ghost.

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

From this reading Esther was engaged for another half hour with a music lesson and besides Betty wished to see that the house was in order for her visitors.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading Esther was engaged for another half hour with a music lesson and besides Betty wished to see that the house was in order for her visitors.

past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress

From this reading Betty arrived at her home before her visitors.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading Betty had an uncomfortable feeling of desolation, as though she were a kind of a ghost.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Betty arrived at her home before her visitors.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading First she went straight to her mother's room, but there the pictures were covered with sheets, the mattress rolled up, the curtains down, and the tables and mantel so bare of ornament that Betty hurried away to her own blue sitting room across the hall.

completely unclothed

From this reading First she went straight to her mother's room, but there the pictures were covered with sheets, the mattress rolled up, the curtains down, and the tables and mantel so bare of ornament that Betty hurried away to her own blue sitting room across the hall.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading It was a curious sensation to come home alone and to wander from one end of the big house to the other, hearing only the sound of her own footsteps, for Mrs. Mitchell, the caretaker, was in the kitchen preparing afternoon tea to be served the guests a little later, while her husband was working in the yard.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Betty arrived at her home before her visitors.

in addition to; as well as

From this reading Esther was engaged for another half hour with a music lesson and besides Betty wished to see that the house was in order for her visitors.

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

From this reading Betty arrived at her home before her visitors.

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

From this reading It was a curious sensation to come home alone and to wander from one end of the big house to the other, hearing only the sound of her own footsteps, for Mrs. Mitchell, the caretaker, was in the kitchen preparing afternoon tea to be served the guests a little later, while her husband was working in the yard.

of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky

From this reading First she went straight to her mother's room, but there the pictures were covered with sheets, the mattress rolled up, the curtains down, and the tables and mantel so bare of ornament that Betty hurried away to her own blue sitting room across the hall.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading First she went straight to her mother's room, but there the pictures were covered with sheets, the mattress rolled up, the curtains down, and the tables and mantel so bare of ornament that Betty hurried away to her own blue sitting room across the hall.

a custodian who is hired to take care of something (property or a person)

From this reading It was a curious sensation to come home alone and to wander from one end of the big house to the other, hearing only the sound of her own footsteps, for Mrs. Mitchell, the caretaker, was in the kitchen preparing afternoon tea to be served the guests a little later, while her husband was working in the yard.

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

From this reading It was a curious sensation to come home alone and to wander from one end of the big house to the other, hearing only the sound of her own footsteps, for Mrs. Mitchell, the caretaker, was in the kitchen preparing afternoon tea to be served the guests a little later, while her husband was working in the yard.

overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form

From this reading First she went straight to her mother's room, but there the pictures were covered with sheets, the mattress rolled up, the curtains down, and the tables and mantel so bare of ornament that Betty hurried away to her own blue sitting room across the hall.

beyond or deviating from the usual or expected

From this reading It was a curious sensation to come home alone and to wander from one end of the big house to the other, hearing only the sound of her own footsteps, for Mrs. Mitchell, the caretaker, was in the kitchen preparing afternoon tea to be served the guests a little later, while her husband was working in the yard.

plural of “curtain” — hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)

From this reading First she went straight to her mother's room, but there the pictures were covered with sheets, the mattress rolled up, the curtains down, and the tables and mantel so bare of ornament that Betty hurried away to her own blue sitting room across the hall.

the state of being decayed or destroyed

From this reading Betty had an uncomfortable feeling of desolation, as though she were a kind of a ghost.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading First she went straight to her mother's room, but there the pictures were covered with sheets, the mattress rolled up, the curtains down, and the tables and mantel so bare of ornament that Betty hurried away to her own blue sitting room across the hall.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading It was a curious sensation to come home alone and to wander from one end of the big house to the other, hearing only the sound of her own footsteps, for Mrs. Mitchell, the caretaker, was in the kitchen preparing afternoon tea to be served the guests a little later, while her husband was working in the yard.

having ones attention or mind or energy engaged

From this reading Esther was engaged for another half hour with a music lesson and besides Betty wished to see that the house was in order for her visitors.

(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 Esther was engaged for another half hour with a music lesson and besides Betty wished to see that the house was in order for her visitors.

the experiencing of affective and emotional states

From this reading Betty had an uncomfortable feeling of desolation, as though she were a kind of a ghost.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading First she went straight to her mother's room, but there the pictures were covered with sheets, the mattress rolled up, the curtains down, and the tables and mantel so bare of ornament that Betty hurried away to her own blue sitting room across the hall.

plural of “footstep” — the sound of a step of someone walking

From this reading It was a curious sensation to come home alone and to wander from one end of the big house to the other, hearing only the sound of her own footsteps, for Mrs. Mitchell, the caretaker, was in the kitchen preparing afternoon tea to be served the guests a little later, while her husband was working in the yard.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Esther was engaged for another half hour with a music lesson and besides Betty wished to see that the house was in order for her visitors.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading It was a curious sensation to come home alone and to wander from one end of the big house to the other, hearing only the sound of her own footsteps, for Mrs. Mitchell, the caretaker, was in the kitchen preparing afternoon tea to be served the guests a little later, while her husband was working in the yard.

a mental representation of some haunting experience

From this reading Betty had an uncomfortable feeling of desolation, as though she were a kind of a ghost.

plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended

From this reading It was a curious sensation to come home alone and to wander from one end of the big house to the other, hearing only the sound of her own footsteps, for Mrs. Mitchell, the caretaker, was in the kitchen preparing afternoon tea to be served the guests a little later, while her husband was working in the yard.

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

From this reading Betty had an uncomfortable feeling of desolation, as though she were a kind of a ghost.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading Esther was engaged for another half hour with a music lesson and besides Betty wished to see that the house was in order for her visitors.

an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open

From this reading First she went straight to her mother's room, but there the pictures were covered with sheets, the mattress rolled up, the curtains down, and the tables and mantel so bare of ornament that Betty hurried away to her own blue sitting room across the hall.

(law) a proceeding (usually by a court) where evidence is taken for the purpose of determining an issue of fact and reaching a decision based on that evidence

From this reading It was a curious sensation to come home alone and to wander from one end of the big house to the other, hearing only the sound of her own footsteps, for Mrs. Mitchell, the caretaker, was in the kitchen preparing afternoon tea to be served the guests a little later, while her husband was working in the yard.

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

From this reading Betty arrived at her home before her visitors.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading Betty arrived at her home before her visitors.

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading Esther was engaged for another half hour with a music lesson and besides Betty wished to see that the house was in order for her visitors.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading Esther was engaged for another half hour with a music lesson and besides Betty wished to see that the house was in order for her visitors.

moving rapidly or performed quickly or in great haste

From this reading First she went straight to her mother's room, but there the pictures were covered with sheets, the mattress rolled up, the curtains down, and the tables and mantel so bare of ornament that Betty hurried away to her own blue sitting room across the hall.

a married man; a woman's partner in marriage

From this reading It was a curious sensation to come home alone and to wander from one end of the big house to the other, hearing only the sound of her own footsteps, for Mrs. Mitchell, the caretaker, was in the kitchen preparing afternoon tea to be served the guests a little later, while her husband was working in the yard.

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

From this reading Esther was engaged for another half hour with a music lesson and besides Betty wished to see that the house was in order for her visitors.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was a curious sensation to come home alone and to wander from one end of the big house to the other, hearing only the sound of her own footsteps, for Mrs. Mitchell, the caretaker, was in the kitchen preparing afternoon tea to be served the guests a little later, while her husband was working in the yard.

having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior

From this reading Betty had an uncomfortable feeling of desolation, as though she were a kind of a ghost.

a room equipped for preparing meals

From this reading It was a curious sensation to come home alone and to wander from one end of the big house to the other, hearing only the sound of her own footsteps, for Mrs. Mitchell, the caretaker, was in the kitchen preparing afternoon tea to be served the guests a little later, while her husband was working in the yard.

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading It was a curious sensation to come home alone and to wander from one end of the big house to the other, hearing only the sound of her own footsteps, for Mrs. Mitchell, the caretaker, was in the kitchen preparing afternoon tea to be served the guests a little later, while her husband was working in the yard.

a unit of instruction

From this reading Esther was engaged for another half hour with a music lesson and besides Betty wished to see that the house was in order for her visitors.

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

From this reading It was a curious sensation to come home alone and to wander from one end of the big house to the other, hearing only the sound of her own footsteps, for Mrs. Mitchell, the caretaker, was in the kitchen preparing afternoon tea to be served the guests a little later, while her husband was working in the yard.

shelf that projects from wall above fireplace

From this reading First she went straight to her mother's room, but there the pictures were covered with sheets, the mattress rolled up, the curtains down, and the tables and mantel so bare of ornament that Betty hurried away to her own blue sitting room across the hall.

a large thick pad filled with resilient material and often incorporating coiled springs, used as a bed or part of a bed

From this reading First she went straight to her mother's room, but there the pictures were covered with sheets, the mattress rolled up, the curtains down, and the tables and mantel so bare of ornament that Betty hurried away to her own blue sitting room across the hall.

English aeronautical engineer (1895-1937)

From this reading It was a curious sensation to come home alone and to wander from one end of the big house to the other, hearing only the sound of her own footsteps, for Mrs. Mitchell, the caretaker, was in the kitchen preparing afternoon tea to be served the guests a little later, while her husband was working in the yard.

possessive form of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading First she went straight to her mother's room, but there the pictures were covered with sheets, the mattress rolled up, the curtains down, and the tables and mantel so bare of ornament that Betty hurried away to her own blue sitting room across the hall.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading It was a curious sensation to come home alone and to wander from one end of the big house to the other, hearing only the sound of her own footsteps, for Mrs. Mitchell, the caretaker, was in the kitchen preparing afternoon tea to be served the guests a little later, while her husband was working in the yard.

an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner

From this reading Esther was engaged for another half hour with a music lesson and besides Betty wished to see that the house was in order for her visitors.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It was a curious sensation to come home alone and to wander from one end of the big house to the other, hearing only the sound of her own footsteps, for Mrs. Mitchell, the caretaker, was in the kitchen preparing afternoon tea to be served the guests a little later, while her husband was working in the yard.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading It was a curious sensation to come home alone and to wander from one end of the big house to the other, hearing only the sound of her own footsteps, for Mrs. Mitchell, the caretaker, was in the kitchen preparing afternoon tea to be served the guests a little later, while her husband was working in the yard.

and nothing more

From this reading It was a curious sensation to come home alone and to wander from one end of the big house to the other, hearing only the sound of her own footsteps, for Mrs. Mitchell, the caretaker, was in the kitchen preparing afternoon tea to be served the guests a little later, while her husband was working in the yard.

(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed

From this reading Esther was engaged for another half hour with a music lesson and besides Betty wished to see that the house was in order for her visitors.

make more attractive by adding ornament, colour, etc.

From this reading First she went straight to her mother's room, but there the pictures were covered with sheets, the mattress rolled up, the curtains down, and the tables and mantel so bare of ornament that Betty hurried away to her own blue sitting room across the hall.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading It was a curious sensation to come home alone and to wander from one end of the big house to the other, hearing only the sound of her own footsteps, for Mrs. Mitchell, the caretaker, was in the kitchen preparing afternoon tea to be served the guests a little later, while her husband was working in the yard.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading It was a curious sensation to come home alone and to wander from one end of the big house to the other, hearing only the sound of her own footsteps, for Mrs. Mitchell, the caretaker, was in the kitchen preparing afternoon tea to be served the guests a little later, while her husband was working in the yard.

plural of “picture” — a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface

From this reading First she went straight to her mother's room, but there the pictures were covered with sheets, the mattress rolled up, the curtains down, and the tables and mantel so bare of ornament that Betty hurried away to her own blue sitting room across the hall.

-ing form of “prepare” — make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc

From this reading It was a curious sensation to come home alone and to wander from one end of the big house to the other, hearing only the sound of her own footsteps, for Mrs. Mitchell, the caretaker, was in the kitchen preparing afternoon tea to be served the guests a little later, while her husband was working in the yard.

especially of petals or leaves in bud; having margins rolled inward

From this reading First she went straight to her mother's room, but there the pictures were covered with sheets, the mattress rolled up, the curtains down, and the tables and mantel so bare of ornament that Betty hurried away to her own blue sitting room across the hall.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading First she went straight to her mother's room, but there the pictures were covered with sheets, the mattress rolled up, the curtains down, and the tables and mantel so bare of ornament that Betty hurried away to her own blue sitting room across the hall.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading Esther was engaged for another half hour with a music lesson and besides Betty wished to see that the house was in order for her visitors.

an unelaborated elementary awareness of stimulation

From this reading It was a curious sensation to come home alone and to wander from one end of the big house to the other, hearing only the sound of her own footsteps, for Mrs. Mitchell, the caretaker, was in the kitchen preparing afternoon tea to be served the guests a little later, while her husband was working in the yard.

past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function

From this reading It was a curious sensation to come home alone and to wander from one end of the big house to the other, hearing only the sound of her own footsteps, for Mrs. Mitchell, the caretaker, was in the kitchen preparing afternoon tea to be served the guests a little later, while her husband was working in the yard.

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

From this reading Betty had an uncomfortable feeling of desolation, as though she were a kind of a ghost.

plural of “sheet” — any broad thin expanse or surface

From this reading First she went straight to her mother's room, but there the pictures were covered with sheets, the mattress rolled up, the curtains down, and the tables and mantel so bare of ornament that Betty hurried away to her own blue sitting room across the hall.

(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)

From this reading First she went straight to her mother's room, but there the pictures were covered with sheets, the mattress rolled up, the curtains down, and the tables and mantel so bare of ornament that Betty hurried away to her own blue sitting room across the hall.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading First she went straight to her mother's room, but there the pictures were covered with sheets, the mattress rolled up, the curtains down, and the tables and mantel so bare of ornament that Betty hurried away to her own blue sitting room across the hall.

the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading It was a curious sensation to come home alone and to wander from one end of the big house to the other, hearing only the sound of her own footsteps, for Mrs. Mitchell, the caretaker, was in the kitchen preparing afternoon tea to be served the guests a little later, while her husband was working in the yard.

successive (without a break)

From this reading First she went straight to her mother's room, but there the pictures were covered with sheets, the mattress rolled up, the curtains down, and the tables and mantel so bare of ornament that Betty hurried away to her own blue sitting room across the hall.

plural of “table” — a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading First she went straight to her mother's room, but there the pictures were covered with sheets, the mattress rolled up, the curtains down, and the tables and mantel so bare of ornament that Betty hurried away to her own blue sitting room across the hall.

a beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water

From this reading It was a curious sensation to come home alone and to wander from one end of the big house to the other, hearing only the sound of her own footsteps, for Mrs. Mitchell, the caretaker, was in the kitchen preparing afternoon tea to be served the guests a little later, while her husband was working in the yard.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Esther was engaged for another half hour with a music lesson and besides Betty wished to see that the house was in order for her visitors.

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

From this reading Esther was engaged for another half hour with a music lesson and besides Betty wished to see that the house was in order for her visitors.

in or at that place or location

From this reading First she went straight to her mother's room, but there the pictures were covered with sheets, the mattress rolled up, the curtains down, and the tables and mantel so bare of ornament that Betty hurried away to her own blue sitting room across the hall.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Betty had an uncomfortable feeling of desolation, as though she were a kind of a ghost.

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

From this reading Esther was engaged for another half hour with a music lesson and besides Betty wished to see that the house was in order for her visitors.

conducive to or feeling mental discomfort

From this reading Betty had an uncomfortable feeling of desolation, as though she were a kind of a ghost.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading First she went straight to her mother's room, but there the pictures were covered with sheets, the mattress rolled up, the curtains down, and the tables and mantel so bare of ornament that Betty hurried away to her own blue sitting room across the hall.

plural of “visitor” — someone who visits

From this reading Betty arrived at her home before her visitors.

move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment

From this reading It was a curious sensation to come home alone and to wander from one end of the big house to the other, hearing only the sound of her own footsteps, for Mrs. Mitchell, the caretaker, was in the kitchen preparing afternoon tea to be served the guests a little later, while her husband was working in the yard.

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

From this reading Esther was engaged for another half hour with a music lesson and besides Betty wished to see that the house was in order for her visitors.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading First she went straight to her mother's room, but there the pictures were covered with sheets, the mattress rolled up, the curtains down, and the tables and mantel so bare of ornament that Betty hurried away to her own blue sitting room across the hall.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Betty had an uncomfortable feeling of desolation, as though she were a kind of a ghost.

during the time that

From this reading It was a curious sensation to come home alone and to wander from one end of the big house to the other, hearing only the sound of her own footsteps, for Mrs. Mitchell, the caretaker, was in the kitchen preparing afternoon tea to be served the guests a little later, while her husband was working in the yard.

past form of “wish” — hope for; have a wish

From this reading Esther was engaged for another half hour with a music lesson and besides Betty wished to see that the house was in order for her visitors.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Esther was engaged for another half hour with a music lesson and besides Betty wished to see that the house was in order for her visitors.

actively engaged in paid work

From this reading It was a curious sensation to come home alone and to wander from one end of the big house to the other, hearing only the sound of her own footsteps, for Mrs. Mitchell, the caretaker, was in the kitchen preparing afternoon tea to be served the guests a little later, while her husband was working in the yard.

a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride

From this reading It was a curious sensation to come home alone and to wander from one end of the big house to the other, hearing only the sound of her own footsteps, for Mrs. Mitchell, the caretaker, was in the kitchen preparing afternoon tea to be served the guests a little later, while her husband was working in the yard.