used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Entertaining a Stranger 'In all things Mindful not of _herself, but bearing_ the burden of others.'--_Longfellow._ It was Sunday evening.
Agatha
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Agatha sat by the drawing-room window, her Bible on her lap, and her thoughts far away from things of earth.
(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 Entertaining a Stranger 'In all things Mindful not of _herself, but bearing_ the burden of others.'--_Longfellow._ It was Sunday evening.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Agatha sat by the drawing-room window, her Bible on her lap, and her thoughts far away from things of earth.
the event of one object coming closer to another
From this reading The sun was setting just behind the pine trees in the distance, and shedding a rosy glow upon their slender stems; the hush of night seemed to be falling on all Nature, and Agatha was so wrapped up in her thoughts, that she did not notice the figure of a man quietly and swiftly approaching the house.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading All the rest of the household were at church, and she was enjoying the stillness around her.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading All the rest of the household were at church, and she was enjoying the stillness around her.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Agatha sat by the drawing-room window, her Bible on her lap, and her thoughts far away from things of earth.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The sun was setting just behind the pine trees in the distance, and shedding a rosy glow upon their slender stems; the hush of night seemed to be falling on all Nature, and Agatha was so wrapped up in her thoughts, that she did not notice the figure of a man quietly and swiftly approaching the house.
relevant relation or interconnection
From this reading Entertaining a Stranger 'In all things Mindful not of _herself, but bearing_ the burden of others.'--_Longfellow._ It was Sunday evening.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading The sun was setting just behind the pine trees in the distance, and shedding a rosy glow upon their slender stems; the hush of night seemed to be falling on all Nature, and Agatha was so wrapped up in her thoughts, that she did not notice the figure of a man quietly and swiftly approaching the house.
the sacred writings of the Christian religions
From this reading Agatha sat by the drawing-room window, her Bible on her lap, and her thoughts far away from things of earth.
lacking funds
From this reading She was the more startled when a voice broke upon the stillness; and she looked up to see a man standing close outside the window.
an onerous or difficult concern
From this reading Entertaining a Stranger 'In all things Mindful not of _herself, but bearing_ the burden of others.'--_Longfellow._ It was Sunday evening.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Entertaining a Stranger 'In all things Mindful not of _herself, but bearing_ the burden of others.'--_Longfellow._ It was Sunday evening.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Agatha sat by the drawing-room window, her Bible on her lap, and her thoughts far away from things of earth.
one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship
From this reading All the rest of the household were at church, and she was enjoying the stillness around her.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading She was the more startled when a voice broke upon the stillness; and she looked up to see a man standing close outside the window.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The sun was setting just behind the pine trees in the distance, and shedding a rosy glow upon their slender stems; the hush of night seemed to be falling on all Nature, and Agatha was so wrapped up in her thoughts, that she did not notice the figure of a man quietly and swiftly approaching the house.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading The sun was setting just behind the pine trees in the distance, and shedding a rosy glow upon their slender stems; the hush of night seemed to be falling on all Nature, and Agatha was so wrapped up in her thoughts, that she did not notice the figure of a man quietly and swiftly approaching the house.
drawing-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Agatha sat by the drawing-room window, her Bible on her lap, and her thoughts far away from things of earth.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading Agatha sat by the drawing-room window, her Bible on her lap, and her thoughts far away from things of earth.
enjoyingverbUS /ˌenˈdʒɔɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “enjoy” — derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in
From this reading All the rest of the household were at church, and she was enjoying the stillness around her.
EntertainingadjectiveUS /ˌentərˈteɪnɪŋ/
agreeably diverting
From this reading Entertaining a Stranger 'In all things Mindful not of _herself, but bearing_ the burden of others.'--_Longfellow._ It was Sunday evening.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading Entertaining a Stranger 'In all things Mindful not of _herself, but bearing_ the burden of others.'--_Longfellow._ It was Sunday evening.
decreasing in amount or degree
From this reading The sun was setting just behind the pine trees in the distance, and shedding a rosy glow upon their slender stems; the hush of night seemed to be falling on all Nature, and Agatha was so wrapped up in her thoughts, that she did not notice the figure of a man quietly and swiftly approaching the house.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading Agatha sat by the drawing-room window, her Bible on her lap, and her thoughts far away from things of earth.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading The sun was setting just behind the pine trees in the distance, and shedding a rosy glow upon their slender stems; the hush of night seemed to be falling on all Nature, and Agatha was so wrapped up in her thoughts, that she did not notice the figure of a man quietly and swiftly approaching the house.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Agatha sat by the drawing-room window, her Bible on her lap, and her thoughts far away from things of earth.
an alert and refreshed state
From this reading The sun was setting just behind the pine trees in the distance, and shedding a rosy glow upon their slender stems; the hush of night seemed to be falling on all Nature, and Agatha was so wrapped up in her thoughts, that she did not notice the figure of a man quietly and swiftly approaching the house.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Agatha sat by the drawing-room window, her Bible on her lap, and her thoughts far away from things of earth.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading Entertaining a Stranger 'In all things Mindful not of _herself, but bearing_ the burden of others.'--_Longfellow._ It was Sunday evening.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The sun was setting just behind the pine trees in the distance, and shedding a rosy glow upon their slender stems; the hush of night seemed to be falling on all Nature, and Agatha was so wrapped up in her thoughts, that she did not notice the figure of a man quietly and swiftly approaching the house.
a social unit living together
From this reading All the rest of the household were at church, and she was enjoying the stillness around her.
become quiet or still; fall silent
From this reading The sun was setting just behind the pine trees in the distance, and shedding a rosy glow upon their slender stems; the hush of night seemed to be falling on all Nature, and Agatha was so wrapped up in her thoughts, that she did not notice the figure of a man quietly and swiftly approaching the house.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Entertaining a Stranger 'In all things Mindful not of _herself, but bearing_ the burden of others.'--_Longfellow._ It was Sunday evening.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Entertaining a Stranger 'In all things Mindful not of _herself, but bearing_ the burden of others.'--_Longfellow._ It was Sunday evening.
and nothing more
From this reading The sun was setting just behind the pine trees in the distance, and shedding a rosy glow upon their slender stems; the hush of night seemed to be falling on all Nature, and Agatha was so wrapped up in her thoughts, that she did not notice the figure of a man quietly and swiftly approaching the house.
lapverbUS /læp/
lie partly over or alongside of something or of one another
From this reading Agatha sat by the drawing-room window, her Bible on her lap, and her thoughts far away from things of earth.
LongfellownounUS /ˈlɔːŋfeloʊ/
United States poet remembered for his long narrative poems (1807-1882)
From this reading Entertaining a Stranger 'In all things Mindful not of _herself, but bearing_ the burden of others.'--_Longfellow._ It was Sunday evening.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading She was the more startled when a voice broke upon the stillness; and she looked up to see a man standing close outside the window.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The sun was setting just behind the pine trees in the distance, and shedding a rosy glow upon their slender stems; the hush of night seemed to be falling on all Nature, and Agatha was so wrapped up in her thoughts, that she did not notice the figure of a man quietly and swiftly approaching the house.
MindfuladjectiveUS /ˈmaɪndfəl/
bearing in mind; attentive to
From this reading Entertaining a Stranger 'In all things Mindful not of _herself, but bearing_ the burden of others.'--_Longfellow._ It was Sunday evening.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading She was the more startled when a voice broke upon the stillness; and she looked up to see a man standing close outside the window.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading The sun was setting just behind the pine trees in the distance, and shedding a rosy glow upon their slender stems; the hush of night seemed to be falling on all Nature, and Agatha was so wrapped up in her thoughts, that she did not notice the figure of a man quietly and swiftly approaching the house.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading The sun was setting just behind the pine trees in the distance, and shedding a rosy glow upon their slender stems; the hush of night seemed to be falling on all Nature, and Agatha was so wrapped up in her thoughts, that she did not notice the figure of a man quietly and swiftly approaching the house.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Entertaining a Stranger 'In all things Mindful not of _herself, but bearing_ the burden of others.'--_Longfellow._ It was Sunday evening.
an announcement containing information about an event
From this reading The sun was setting just behind the pine trees in the distance, and shedding a rosy glow upon their slender stems; the hush of night seemed to be falling on all Nature, and Agatha was so wrapped up in her thoughts, that she did not notice the figure of a man quietly and swiftly approaching the house.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Entertaining a Stranger 'In all things Mindful not of _herself, but bearing_ the burden of others.'--_Longfellow._ It was Sunday evening.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Agatha sat by the drawing-room window, her Bible on her lap, and her thoughts far away from things of earth.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Entertaining a Stranger 'In all things Mindful not of _herself, but bearing_ the burden of others.'--_Longfellow._ It was Sunday evening.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading She was the more startled when a voice broke upon the stillness; and she looked up to see a man standing close outside the window.
pinenounUS /paɪn/
a coniferous tree
From this reading The sun was setting just behind the pine trees in the distance, and shedding a rosy glow upon their slender stems; the hush of night seemed to be falling on all Nature, and Agatha was so wrapped up in her thoughts, that she did not notice the figure of a man quietly and swiftly approaching the house.
with low volume
From this reading The sun was setting just behind the pine trees in the distance, and shedding a rosy glow upon their slender stems; the hush of night seemed to be falling on all Nature, and Agatha was so wrapped up in her thoughts, that she did not notice the figure of a man quietly and swiftly approaching the house.
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading All the rest of the household were at church, and she was enjoying the stillness around her.
rosyadjectiveUS /ˈroʊzi/
reflecting optimism
From this reading The sun was setting just behind the pine trees in the distance, and shedding a rosy glow upon their slender stems; the hush of night seemed to be falling on all Nature, and Agatha was so wrapped up in her thoughts, that she did not notice the figure of a man quietly and swiftly approaching the house.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Agatha sat by the drawing-room window, her Bible on her lap, and her thoughts far away from things of earth.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading She was the more startled when a voice broke upon the stillness; and she looked up to see a man standing close outside the window.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The sun was setting just behind the pine trees in the distance, and shedding a rosy glow upon their slender stems; the hush of night seemed to be falling on all Nature, and Agatha was so wrapped up in her thoughts, that she did not notice the figure of a man quietly and swiftly approaching the house.
the context and environment in which something is set
From this reading The sun was setting just behind the pine trees in the distance, and shedding a rosy glow upon their slender stems; the hush of night seemed to be falling on all Nature, and Agatha was so wrapped up in her thoughts, that she did not notice the figure of a man quietly and swiftly approaching the house.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading All the rest of the household were at church, and she was enjoying the stillness around her.
sheddingnounUS /ˈʃedɪŋ/
the process whereby something is shed
From this reading The sun was setting just behind the pine trees in the distance, and shedding a rosy glow upon their slender stems; the hush of night seemed to be falling on all Nature, and Agatha was so wrapped up in her thoughts, that she did not notice the figure of a man quietly and swiftly approaching the house.
being of delicate or slender build
From this reading The sun was setting just behind the pine trees in the distance, and shedding a rosy glow upon their slender stems; the hush of night seemed to be falling on all Nature, and Agatha was so wrapped up in her thoughts, that she did not notice the figure of a man quietly and swiftly approaching the house.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The sun was setting just behind the pine trees in the distance, and shedding a rosy glow upon their slender stems; the hush of night seemed to be falling on all Nature, and Agatha was so wrapped up in her thoughts, that she did not notice the figure of a man quietly and swiftly approaching the house.
having a supporting base
From this reading She was the more startled when a voice broke upon the stillness; and she looked up to see a man standing close outside the window.
excited by sudden surprise or alarm and making a quick involuntary movement
From this reading She was the more startled when a voice broke upon the stillness; and she looked up to see a man standing close outside the window.
stemsnounUS /stemz/
plural of “stem” — (linguistics) the form of a word after all affixes are removed
From this reading The sun was setting just behind the pine trees in the distance, and shedding a rosy glow upon their slender stems; the hush of night seemed to be falling on all Nature, and Agatha was so wrapped up in her thoughts, that she did not notice the figure of a man quietly and swiftly approaching the house.
stillnessnounUS /ˈstɪlnəs/
(poetic) tranquil silence
From this reading All the rest of the household were at church, and she was enjoying the stillness around her.
anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found
From this reading Entertaining a Stranger 'In all things Mindful not of _herself, but bearing_ the burden of others.'--_Longfellow._ It was Sunday evening.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading The sun was setting just behind the pine trees in the distance, and shedding a rosy glow upon their slender stems; the hush of night seemed to be falling on all Nature, and Agatha was so wrapped up in her thoughts, that she did not notice the figure of a man quietly and swiftly approaching the house.
first day of the week; observed as a day of rest and worship by most Christians
From this reading Entertaining a Stranger 'In all things Mindful not of _herself, but bearing_ the burden of others.'--_Longfellow._ It was Sunday evening.
in a swift manner
From this reading The sun was setting just behind the pine trees in the distance, and shedding a rosy glow upon their slender stems; the hush of night seemed to be falling on all Nature, and Agatha was so wrapped up in her thoughts, that she did not notice the figure of a man quietly and swiftly approaching the house.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The sun was setting just behind the pine trees in the distance, and shedding a rosy glow upon their slender stems; the hush of night seemed to be falling on all Nature, and Agatha was so wrapped up in her thoughts, that she did not notice the figure of a man quietly and swiftly approaching the house.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Entertaining a Stranger 'In all things Mindful not of _herself, but bearing_ the burden of others.'--_Longfellow._ It was Sunday evening.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The sun was setting just behind the pine trees in the distance, and shedding a rosy glow upon their slender stems; the hush of night seemed to be falling on all Nature, and Agatha was so wrapped up in her thoughts, that she did not notice the figure of a man quietly and swiftly approaching the house.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading Entertaining a Stranger 'In all things Mindful not of _herself, but bearing_ the burden of others.'--_Longfellow._ It was Sunday evening.
plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Agatha sat by the drawing-room window, her Bible on her lap, and her thoughts far away from things of earth.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The sun was setting just behind the pine trees in the distance, and shedding a rosy glow upon their slender stems; the hush of night seemed to be falling on all Nature, and Agatha was so wrapped up in her thoughts, that she did not notice the figure of a man quietly and swiftly approaching the house.
plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading The sun was setting just behind the pine trees in the distance, and shedding a rosy glow upon their slender stems; the hush of night seemed to be falling on all Nature, and Agatha was so wrapped up in her thoughts, that she did not notice the figure of a man quietly and swiftly approaching the house.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The sun was setting just behind the pine trees in the distance, and shedding a rosy glow upon their slender stems; the hush of night seemed to be falling on all Nature, and Agatha was so wrapped up in her thoughts, that she did not notice the figure of a man quietly and swiftly approaching the house.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The sun was setting just behind the pine trees in the distance, and shedding a rosy glow upon their slender stems; the hush of night seemed to be falling on all Nature, and Agatha was so wrapped up in her thoughts, that she did not notice the figure of a man quietly and swiftly approaching the house.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading She was the more startled when a voice broke upon the stillness; and she looked up to see a man standing close outside the window.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Entertaining a Stranger 'In all things Mindful not of _herself, but bearing_ the burden of others.'--_Longfellow._ It was Sunday evening.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading All the rest of the household were at church, and she was enjoying the stillness around her.
at the time that
From this reading She was the more startled when a voice broke upon the stillness; and she looked up to see a man standing close outside the window.
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 Agatha sat by the drawing-room window, her Bible on her lap, and her thoughts far away from things of earth.
covered with or as if with clothes or a wrap or cloak
From this reading The sun was setting just behind the pine trees in the distance, and shedding a rosy glow upon their slender stems; the hush of night seemed to be falling on all Nature, and Agatha was so wrapped up in her thoughts, that she did not notice the figure of a man quietly and swiftly approaching the house.
