used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was very early, only a little after six, and the sun had risen on a day exquisite, warm, and windless.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading It was very early, only a little after six, and the sun had risen on a day exquisite, warm, and windless.
anew
From this reading He had been very restless, attempting again and again to sit up in bed, and it had needed not only all her care but all her strength to keep him lying down.
alertadjectiveUS /əˈlɜːrt/
engaged in or accustomed to close observation
From this reading But though it had been light for nearly an hour, the nurse had only this moment put out the lamp, for she had been alert, quick, and watchful, unable to leave his bedside for a moment for the last four hours.
(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 In Martin’s room the big window had been open all night, and all night the blind had not once rattled or stirred, while the lamp on the table near it burned steady without a flicker.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading But though it had been light for nearly an hour, the nurse had only this moment put out the lamp, for she had been alert, quick, and watchful, unable to leave his bedside for a moment for the last four hours.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was very early, only a little after six, and the sun had risen on a day exquisite, warm, and windless.
a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb
From this reading All night long, too, that terrible uncontrollable twitching of the muscles of leg and arm had gone on incessantly, and again and again, for ten minutes or more at a stretch, she had kept one arm with steady pressure over those poor, jumping knees, while she held the other ready to prevent his getting up.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading All night long, too, that terrible uncontrollable twitching of the muscles of leg and arm had gone on incessantly, and again and again, for ten minutes or more at a stretch, she had kept one arm with steady pressure over those poor, jumping knees, while she held the other ready to prevent his getting up.
attemptingverbUS /əˈtemptɪŋ/
-ing form of “attempt” — make an effort or attempt
From this reading He had been very restless, attempting again and again to sit up in bed, and it had needed not only all her care but all her strength to keep him lying down.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading He had been very restless, attempting again and again to sit up in bed, and it had needed not only all her care but all her strength to keep him lying down.
bedsidenounUS /ˈbedsaɪd/
space by the side of a bed (especially the bed of a sick or dying person)
From this reading But though it had been light for nearly an hour, the nurse had only this moment put out the lamp, for she had been alert, quick, and watchful, unable to leave his bedside for a moment for the last four hours.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading In Martin’s room the big window had been open all night, and all night the blind had not once rattled or stirred, while the lamp on the table near it burned steady without a flicker.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading In Martin’s room the big window had been open all night, and all night the blind had not once rattled or stirred, while the lamp on the table near it burned steady without a flicker.
people who have severe visual impairments, considered as a group
From this reading In Martin’s room the big window had been open all night, and all night the blind had not once rattled or stirred, while the lamp on the table near it burned steady without a flicker.
treated by heating to a high temperature but below the melting or fusing point
From this reading In Martin’s room the big window had been open all night, and all night the blind had not once rattled or stirred, while the lamp on the table near it burned steady without a flicker.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But though it had been light for nearly an hour, the nurse had only this moment put out the lamp, for she had been alert, quick, and watchful, unable to leave his bedside for a moment for the last four hours.
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading He had been very restless, attempting again and again to sit up in bed, and it had needed not only all her care but all her strength to keep him lying down.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading It was very early, only a little after six, and the sun had risen on a day exquisite, warm, and windless.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading He had been very restless, attempting again and again to sit up in bed, and it had needed not only all her care but all her strength to keep him lying down.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading It was very early, only a little after six, and the sun had risen on a day exquisite, warm, and windless.
exquisiteadjectiveUS /ˈekskwəzət/
intense or sharp
From this reading It was very early, only a little after six, and the sun had risen on a day exquisite, warm, and windless.
flickerverbUS /ˈflɪkər/
move back and forth very rapidly
From this reading In Martin’s room the big window had been open all night, and all night the blind had not once rattled or stirred, while the lamp on the table near it burned steady without a flicker.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading But though it had been light for nearly an hour, the nurse had only this moment put out the lamp, for she had been alert, quick, and watchful, unable to leave his bedside for a moment for the last four hours.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading But though it had been light for nearly an hour, the nurse had only this moment put out the lamp, for she had been alert, quick, and watchful, unable to leave his bedside for a moment for the last four hours.
the act of acquiring something
From this reading All night long, too, that terrible uncontrollable twitching of the muscles of leg and arm had gone on incessantly, and again and again, for ten minutes or more at a stretch, she had kept one arm with steady pressure over those poor, jumping knees, while she held the other ready to prevent his getting up.
destroyed or killed
From this reading All night long, too, that terrible uncontrollable twitching of the muscles of leg and arm had gone on incessantly, and again and again, for ten minutes or more at a stretch, she had kept one arm with steady pressure over those poor, jumping knees, while she held the other ready to prevent his getting up.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was very early, only a little after six, and the sun had risen on a day exquisite, warm, and windless.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had been very restless, attempting again and again to sit up in bed, and it had needed not only all her care but all her strength to keep him lying down.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading All night long, too, that terrible uncontrollable twitching of the muscles of leg and arm had gone on incessantly, and again and again, for ten minutes or more at a stretch, she had kept one arm with steady pressure over those poor, jumping knees, while she held the other ready to prevent his getting up.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He had been very restless, attempting again and again to sit up in bed, and it had needed not only all her care but all her strength to keep him lying down.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He had been very restless, attempting again and again to sit up in bed, and it had needed not only all her care but all her strength to keep him lying down.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading But though it had been light for nearly an hour, the nurse had only this moment put out the lamp, for she had been alert, quick, and watchful, unable to leave his bedside for a moment for the last four hours.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading But though it had been light for nearly an hour, the nurse had only this moment put out the lamp, for she had been alert, quick, and watchful, unable to leave his bedside for a moment for the last four hours.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading But though it had been light for nearly an hour, the nurse had only this moment put out the lamp, for she had been alert, quick, and watchful, unable to leave his bedside for a moment for the last four hours.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In Martin’s room the big window had been open all night, and all night the blind had not once rattled or stirred, while the lamp on the table near it burned steady without a flicker.
incessantlyadverbUS /ˌɪnˈsesəntli/
with unflagging resolve
From this reading All night long, too, that terrible uncontrollable twitching of the muscles of leg and arm had gone on incessantly, and again and again, for ten minutes or more at a stretch, she had kept one arm with steady pressure over those poor, jumping knees, while she held the other ready to prevent his getting up.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was very early, only a little after six, and the sun had risen on a day exquisite, warm, and windless.
jumpingnounUS /ˈdʒʌmpɪŋ/
the act of participating in an athletic competition in which you must jump
From this reading All night long, too, that terrible uncontrollable twitching of the muscles of leg and arm had gone on incessantly, and again and again, for ten minutes or more at a stretch, she had kept one arm with steady pressure over those poor, jumping knees, while she held the other ready to prevent his getting up.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading He had been very restless, attempting again and again to sit up in bed, and it had needed not only all her care but all her strength to keep him lying down.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading All night long, too, that terrible uncontrollable twitching of the muscles of leg and arm had gone on incessantly, and again and again, for ten minutes or more at a stretch, she had kept one arm with steady pressure over those poor, jumping knees, while she held the other ready to prevent his getting up.
plural of “knee” — hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella
From this reading All night long, too, that terrible uncontrollable twitching of the muscles of leg and arm had gone on incessantly, and again and again, for ten minutes or more at a stretch, she had kept one arm with steady pressure over those poor, jumping knees, while she held the other ready to prevent his getting up.
an artificial source of visible illumination
From this reading In Martin’s room the big window had been open all night, and all night the blind had not once rattled or stirred, while the lamp on the table near it burned steady without a flicker.
immediately past
From this reading But though it had been light for nearly an hour, the nurse had only this moment put out the lamp, for she had been alert, quick, and watchful, unable to leave his bedside for a moment for the last four hours.
go away from a place
From this reading But though it had been light for nearly an hour, the nurse had only this moment put out the lamp, for she had been alert, quick, and watchful, unable to leave his bedside for a moment for the last four hours.
a human limb; commonly used to refer to a whole limb but technically only the part of the limb between the knee and ankle
From this reading All night long, too, that terrible uncontrollable twitching of the muscles of leg and arm had gone on incessantly, and again and again, for ten minutes or more at a stretch, she had kept one arm with steady pressure over those poor, jumping knees, while she held the other ready to prevent his getting up.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading But though it had been light for nearly an hour, the nurse had only this moment put out the lamp, for she had been alert, quick, and watchful, unable to leave his bedside for a moment for the last four hours.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading It was very early, only a little after six, and the sun had risen on a day exquisite, warm, and windless.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading All night long, too, that terrible uncontrollable twitching of the muscles of leg and arm had gone on incessantly, and again and again, for ten minutes or more at a stretch, she had kept one arm with steady pressure over those poor, jumping knees, while she held the other ready to prevent his getting up.
the deliberate act of deviating from the truth
From this reading He had been very restless, attempting again and again to sit up in bed, and it had needed not only all her care but all her strength to keep him lying down.
Martin'snounUS /ˈmɑːrtənz/
possessive form of “martin” — French bishop who is a patron saint of France (died in 397)
From this reading In Martin’s room the big window had been open all night, and all night the blind had not once rattled or stirred, while the lamp on the table near it burned steady without a flicker.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading All night long, too, that terrible uncontrollable twitching of the muscles of leg and arm had gone on incessantly, and again and again, for ten minutes or more at a stretch, she had kept one arm with steady pressure over those poor, jumping knees, while she held the other ready to prevent his getting up.
a particular point in time
From this reading But though it had been light for nearly an hour, the nurse had only this moment put out the lamp, for she had been alert, quick, and watchful, unable to leave his bedside for a moment for the last four hours.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading All night long, too, that terrible uncontrollable twitching of the muscles of leg and arm had gone on incessantly, and again and again, for ten minutes or more at a stretch, she had kept one arm with steady pressure over those poor, jumping knees, while she held the other ready to prevent his getting up.
musclesnounUS /ˈmʌsəlz/
plural of “muscle” — one of the contractile organs of the body
From this reading All night long, too, that terrible uncontrollable twitching of the muscles of leg and arm had gone on incessantly, and again and again, for ten minutes or more at a stretch, she had kept one arm with steady pressure over those poor, jumping knees, while she held the other ready to prevent his getting up.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading In Martin’s room the big window had been open all night, and all night the blind had not once rattled or stirred, while the lamp on the table near it burned steady without a flicker.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading But though it had been light for nearly an hour, the nurse had only this moment put out the lamp, for she had been alert, quick, and watchful, unable to leave his bedside for a moment for the last four hours.
necessary for relief or supply
From this reading He had been very restless, attempting again and again to sit up in bed, and it had needed not only all her care but all her strength to keep him lying down.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading In Martin’s room the big window had been open all night, and all night the blind had not once rattled or stirred, while the lamp on the table near it burned steady without a flicker.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading In Martin’s room the big window had been open all night, and all night the blind had not once rattled or stirred, while the lamp on the table near it burned steady without a flicker.
try to cure by special care of treatment, of an illness or injury
From this reading But though it had been light for nearly an hour, the nurse had only this moment put out the lamp, for she had been alert, quick, and watchful, unable to leave his bedside for a moment for the last four hours.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading All night long, too, that terrible uncontrollable twitching of the muscles of leg and arm had gone on incessantly, and again and again, for ten minutes or more at a stretch, she had kept one arm with steady pressure over those poor, jumping knees, while she held the other ready to prevent his getting up.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It was very early, only a little after six, and the sun had risen on a day exquisite, warm, and windless.
on one occasion
From this reading In Martin’s room the big window had been open all night, and all night the blind had not once rattled or stirred, while the lamp on the table near it burned steady without a flicker.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading All night long, too, that terrible uncontrollable twitching of the muscles of leg and arm had gone on incessantly, and again and again, for ten minutes or more at a stretch, she had kept one arm with steady pressure over those poor, jumping knees, while she held the other ready to prevent his getting up.
and nothing more
From this reading It was very early, only a little after six, and the sun had risen on a day exquisite, warm, and windless.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading In Martin’s room the big window had been open all night, and all night the blind had not once rattled or stirred, while the lamp on the table near it burned steady without a flicker.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading In Martin’s room the big window had been open all night, and all night the blind had not once rattled or stirred, while the lamp on the table near it burned steady without a flicker.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading All night long, too, that terrible uncontrollable twitching of the muscles of leg and arm had gone on incessantly, and again and again, for ten minutes or more at a stretch, she had kept one arm with steady pressure over those poor, jumping knees, while she held the other ready to prevent his getting up.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading But though it had been light for nearly an hour, the nurse had only this moment put out the lamp, for she had been alert, quick, and watchful, unable to leave his bedside for a moment for the last four hours.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading All night long, too, that terrible uncontrollable twitching of the muscles of leg and arm had gone on incessantly, and again and again, for ten minutes or more at a stretch, she had kept one arm with steady pressure over those poor, jumping knees, while she held the other ready to prevent his getting up.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading All night long, too, that terrible uncontrollable twitching of the muscles of leg and arm had gone on incessantly, and again and again, for ten minutes or more at a stretch, she had kept one arm with steady pressure over those poor, jumping knees, while she held the other ready to prevent his getting up.
pressurenounUS /ˈpreʃər/
the force applied to a unit area of surface; measured in pascals (SI unit) or in dynes (cgs unit)
From this reading All night long, too, that terrible uncontrollable twitching of the muscles of leg and arm had gone on incessantly, and again and again, for ten minutes or more at a stretch, she had kept one arm with steady pressure over those poor, jumping knees, while she held the other ready to prevent his getting up.
keep from happening or arising; make impossible
From this reading All night long, too, that terrible uncontrollable twitching of the muscles of leg and arm had gone on incessantly, and again and again, for ten minutes or more at a stretch, she had kept one arm with steady pressure over those poor, jumping knees, while she held the other ready to prevent his getting up.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading But though it had been light for nearly an hour, the nurse had only this moment put out the lamp, for she had been alert, quick, and watchful, unable to leave his bedside for a moment for the last four hours.
accomplished rapidly and without delay
From this reading But though it had been light for nearly an hour, the nurse had only this moment put out the lamp, for she had been alert, quick, and watchful, unable to leave his bedside for a moment for the last four hours.
rattledadjectiveUS /ˈrætəld/
thrown into a state of agitated confusion; (“rattled” is an informal term)
From this reading In Martin’s room the big window had been open all night, and all night the blind had not once rattled or stirred, while the lamp on the table near it burned steady without a flicker.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading All night long, too, that terrible uncontrollable twitching of the muscles of leg and arm had gone on incessantly, and again and again, for ten minutes or more at a stretch, she had kept one arm with steady pressure over those poor, jumping knees, while she held the other ready to prevent his getting up.
restlessadjectiveUS /ˈrestləs/
worried and uneasy
From this reading He had been very restless, attempting again and again to sit up in bed, and it had needed not only all her care but all her strength to keep him lying down.
risenadjectiveUS /ˈrɪzən/
(of e.g. celestial bodies) above the horizon
From this reading It was very early, only a little after six, and the sun had risen on a day exquisite, warm, and windless.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading In Martin’s room the big window had been open all night, and all night the blind had not once rattled or stirred, while the lamp on the table near it burned steady without a flicker.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But though it had been light for nearly an hour, the nurse had only this moment put out the lamp, for she had been alert, quick, and watchful, unable to leave his bedside for a moment for the last four hours.
be seated
From this reading He had been very restless, attempting again and again to sit up in bed, and it had needed not only all her care but all her strength to keep him lying down.
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading It was very early, only a little after six, and the sun had risen on a day exquisite, warm, and windless.
make steady
From this reading In Martin’s room the big window had been open all night, and all night the blind had not once rattled or stirred, while the lamp on the table near it burned steady without a flicker.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading In Martin’s room the big window had been open all night, and all night the blind had not once rattled or stirred, while the lamp on the table near it burned steady without a flicker.
the property of being physically or mentally strong
From this reading He had been very restless, attempting again and again to sit up in bed, and it had needed not only all her care but all her strength to keep him lying down.
stretchverbUS /stretʃ/
occupy a large, elongated area
From this reading All night long, too, that terrible uncontrollable twitching of the muscles of leg and arm had gone on incessantly, and again and again, for ten minutes or more at a stretch, she had kept one arm with steady pressure over those poor, jumping knees, while she held the other ready to prevent his getting up.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading It was very early, only a little after six, and the sun had risen on a day exquisite, warm, and windless.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading In Martin’s room the big window had been open all night, and all night the blind had not once rattled or stirred, while the lamp on the table near it burned steady without a flicker.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading All night long, too, that terrible uncontrollable twitching of the muscles of leg and arm had gone on incessantly, and again and again, for ten minutes or more at a stretch, she had kept one arm with steady pressure over those poor, jumping knees, while she held the other ready to prevent his getting up.
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading All night long, too, that terrible uncontrollable twitching of the muscles of leg and arm had gone on incessantly, and again and again, for ten minutes or more at a stretch, she had kept one arm with steady pressure over those poor, jumping knees, while she held the other ready to prevent his getting up.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading All night long, too, that terrible uncontrollable twitching of the muscles of leg and arm had gone on incessantly, and again and again, for ten minutes or more at a stretch, she had kept one arm with steady pressure over those poor, jumping knees, while she held the other ready to prevent his getting up.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was very early, only a little after six, and the sun had risen on a day exquisite, warm, and windless.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading But though it had been light for nearly an hour, the nurse had only this moment put out the lamp, for she had been alert, quick, and watchful, unable to leave his bedside for a moment for the last four hours.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading All night long, too, that terrible uncontrollable twitching of the muscles of leg and arm had gone on incessantly, and again and again, for ten minutes or more at a stretch, she had kept one arm with steady pressure over those poor, jumping knees, while she held the other ready to prevent his getting up.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading But though it had been light for nearly an hour, the nurse had only this moment put out the lamp, for she had been alert, quick, and watchful, unable to leave his bedside for a moment for the last four hours.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But though it had been light for nearly an hour, the nurse had only this moment put out the lamp, for she had been alert, quick, and watchful, unable to leave his bedside for a moment for the last four hours.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading All night long, too, that terrible uncontrollable twitching of the muscles of leg and arm had gone on incessantly, and again and again, for ten minutes or more at a stretch, she had kept one arm with steady pressure over those poor, jumping knees, while she held the other ready to prevent his getting up.
twitchingnounUS /ˈtwɪtʃɪŋ/
a sudden muscle spasm; especially one caused by a nervous condition
From this reading All night long, too, that terrible uncontrollable twitching of the muscles of leg and arm had gone on incessantly, and again and again, for ten minutes or more at a stretch, she had kept one arm with steady pressure over those poor, jumping knees, while she held the other ready to prevent his getting up.
(usually followed by “to”) not having the necessary means or skill or know-how
From this reading But though it had been light for nearly an hour, the nurse had only this moment put out the lamp, for she had been alert, quick, and watchful, unable to leave his bedside for a moment for the last four hours.
uncontrollableadjectiveUS /ˌʌnkənˈtroʊləbəl/
difficult to solve or alleviate
From this reading All night long, too, that terrible uncontrollable twitching of the muscles of leg and arm had gone on incessantly, and again and again, for ten minutes or more at a stretch, she had kept one arm with steady pressure over those poor, jumping knees, while she held the other ready to prevent his getting up.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading He had been very restless, attempting again and again to sit up in bed, and it had needed not only all her care but all her strength to keep him lying down.
precisely as stated
From this reading It was very early, only a little after six, and the sun had risen on a day exquisite, warm, and windless.
having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat
From this reading It was very early, only a little after six, and the sun had risen on a day exquisite, warm, and windless.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was very early, only a little after six, and the sun had risen on a day exquisite, warm, and windless.
watchfuladjectiveUS /ˈwɑːtʃfəl/
engaged in or accustomed to close observation
From this reading But though it had been light for nearly an hour, the nurse had only this moment put out the lamp, for she had been alert, quick, and watchful, unable to leave his bedside for a moment for the last four hours.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading In Martin’s room the big window had been open all night, and all night the blind had not once rattled or stirred, while the lamp on the table near it burned steady without a flicker.
windlessadjective
without or almost without wind
From this reading It was very early, only a little after six, and the sun had risen on a day exquisite, warm, and windless.
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 In Martin’s room the big window had been open all night, and all night the blind had not once rattled or stirred, while the lamp on the table near it burned steady without a flicker.
in the company of; together with
From this reading All night long, too, that terrible uncontrollable twitching of the muscles of leg and arm had gone on incessantly, and again and again, for ten minutes or more at a stretch, she had kept one arm with steady pressure over those poor, jumping knees, while she held the other ready to prevent his getting up.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading In Martin’s room the big window had been open all night, and all night the blind had not once rattled or stirred, while the lamp on the table near it burned steady without a flicker.
