used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading When Catharine arose to go, Elsie, following out the wilful instincts of her new character, crept close to old Mrs. Ford, and clung to her dress, entreating to be left; which flung the old couple into a state of absolute delight beautiful to behold.
perfect or complete or pure
From this reading When Catharine arose to go, Elsie, following out the wilful instincts of her new character, crept close to old Mrs. Ford, and clung to her dress, entreating to be left; which flung the old couple into a state of absolute delight beautiful to behold.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading It was the first time their child had been content to remain alone with them since her sojourn in the house.
amuseverbUS /əˈmjuːz/
occupy in an agreeable, entertaining or pleasant fashion
From this reading Now she clung pleadingly to her mother’s dress, and, seating herself upon a low stool at her feet, began to amuse herself by arranging scraps of silk, which she found in her mother’s work-basket, with great nicety as to the colors, which made the old people look at each other with mournful smiles; it put them so in mind of old times, when she was indeed a child, body and mind.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When Catharine arose to go, Elsie, following out the wilful instincts of her new character, crept close to old Mrs. Ford, and clung to her dress, entreating to be left; which flung the old couple into a state of absolute delight beautiful to behold.
inflected form of “arise” — come into existence; take on form or shape
From this reading When Catharine arose to go, Elsie, following out the wilful instincts of her new character, crept close to old Mrs. Ford, and clung to her dress, entreating to be left; which flung the old couple into a state of absolute delight beautiful to behold.
arrangingnounUS /ərˈeɪndʒɪŋ/
the act of arranging and adapting a piece of music
From this reading Now she clung pleadingly to her mother’s dress, and, seating herself upon a low stool at her feet, began to amuse herself by arranging scraps of silk, which she found in her mother’s work-basket, with great nicety as to the colors, which made the old people look at each other with mournful smiles; it put them so in mind of old times, when she was indeed a child, body and mind.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Now she clung pleadingly to her mother’s dress, and, seating herself upon a low stool at her feet, began to amuse herself by arranging scraps of silk, which she found in her mother’s work-basket, with great nicety as to the colors, which made the old people look at each other with mournful smiles; it put them so in mind of old times, when she was indeed a child, body and mind.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Now she clung pleadingly to her mother’s dress, and, seating herself upon a low stool at her feet, began to amuse herself by arranging scraps of silk, which she found in her mother’s work-basket, with great nicety as to the colors, which made the old people look at each other with mournful smiles; it put them so in mind of old times, when she was indeed a child, body and mind.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Meantime Catharine had gone back to the library.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading When Catharine arose to go, Elsie, following out the wilful instincts of her new character, crept close to old Mrs. Ford, and clung to her dress, entreating to be left; which flung the old couple into a state of absolute delight beautiful to behold.
delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration
From this reading When Catharine arose to go, Elsie, following out the wilful instincts of her new character, crept close to old Mrs. Ford, and clung to her dress, entreating to be left; which flung the old couple into a state of absolute delight beautiful to behold.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It was the first time their child had been content to remain alone with them since her sojourn in the house.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Now she clung pleadingly to her mother’s dress, and, seating herself upon a low stool at her feet, began to amuse herself by arranging scraps of silk, which she found in her mother’s work-basket, with great nicety as to the colors, which made the old people look at each other with mournful smiles; it put them so in mind of old times, when she was indeed a child, body and mind.
see with attention
From this reading When Catharine arose to go, Elsie, following out the wilful instincts of her new character, crept close to old Mrs. Ford, and clung to her dress, entreating to be left; which flung the old couple into a state of absolute delight beautiful to behold.
the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading Now she clung pleadingly to her mother’s dress, and, seating herself upon a low stool at her feet, began to amuse herself by arranging scraps of silk, which she found in her mother’s work-basket, with great nicety as to the colors, which made the old people look at each other with mournful smiles; it put them so in mind of old times, when she was indeed a child, body and mind.
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading She would summon no help, but, closing the door which shut her out from the rest of the house, began to work diligently, cleansing the books from dust, and re-arranging everything exactly as she had found it.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She would summon no help, but, closing the door which shut her out from the rest of the house, began to work diligently, cleansing the books from dust, and re-arranging everything exactly as she had found it.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Now she clung pleadingly to her mother’s dress, and, seating herself upon a low stool at her feet, began to amuse herself by arranging scraps of silk, which she found in her mother’s work-basket, with great nicety as to the colors, which made the old people look at each other with mournful smiles; it put them so in mind of old times, when she was indeed a child, body and mind.
Catharine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Catharine arose to go, Elsie, following out the wilful instincts of her new character, crept close to old Mrs. Ford, and clung to her dress, entreating to be left; which flung the old couple into a state of absolute delight beautiful to behold.
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading When Catharine arose to go, Elsie, following out the wilful instincts of her new character, crept close to old Mrs. Ford, and clung to her dress, entreating to be left; which flung the old couple into a state of absolute delight beautiful to behold.
a young person of either sex
From this reading It was the first time their child had been content to remain alone with them since her sojourn in the house.
cleansingadjectiveUS /ˈklenzɪŋ/
cleansing the body by washing; especially ritual washing of e.g. hands
From this reading She would summon no help, but, closing the door which shut her out from the rest of the house, began to work diligently, cleansing the books from dust, and re-arranging everything exactly as she had found it.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading When Catharine arose to go, Elsie, following out the wilful instincts of her new character, crept close to old Mrs. Ford, and clung to her dress, entreating to be left; which flung the old couple into a state of absolute delight beautiful to behold.
closingnounUS /ˈkloʊzɪŋ/
the act of closing something
From this reading She would summon no help, but, closing the door which shut her out from the rest of the house, began to work diligently, cleansing the books from dust, and re-arranging everything exactly as she had found it.
clungverbUS /klʌŋ/
inflected form of “cling” — come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation
From this reading When Catharine arose to go, Elsie, following out the wilful instincts of her new character, crept close to old Mrs. Ford, and clung to her dress, entreating to be left; which flung the old couple into a state of absolute delight beautiful to behold.
colorsnounUS /ˈkʌlərz/
a flag that shows its nationality
From this reading Now she clung pleadingly to her mother’s dress, and, seating herself upon a low stool at her feet, began to amuse herself by arranging scraps of silk, which she found in her mother’s work-basket, with great nicety as to the colors, which made the old people look at each other with mournful smiles; it put them so in mind of old times, when she was indeed a child, body and mind.
(usually plural) everything that is included in a collection and that is held or included in something
From this reading It was the first time their child had been content to remain alone with them since her sojourn in the house.
a pair who associate with one another
From this reading When Catharine arose to go, Elsie, following out the wilful instincts of her new character, crept close to old Mrs. Ford, and clung to her dress, entreating to be left; which flung the old couple into a state of absolute delight beautiful to behold.
inflected form of “creep” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground
From this reading When Catharine arose to go, Elsie, following out the wilful instincts of her new character, crept close to old Mrs. Ford, and clung to her dress, entreating to be left; which flung the old couple into a state of absolute delight beautiful to behold.
give pleasure to or be pleasing to
From this reading When Catharine arose to go, Elsie, following out the wilful instincts of her new character, crept close to old Mrs. Ford, and clung to her dress, entreating to be left; which flung the old couple into a state of absolute delight beautiful to behold.
diligentlyadverbUS /ˈdɪlədʒəntli/
with diligence; in a diligent manner
From this reading She would summon no help, but, closing the door which shut her out from the rest of the house, began to work diligently, cleansing the books from dust, and re-arranging everything exactly as she had found it.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading She would summon no help, but, closing the door which shut her out from the rest of the house, began to work diligently, cleansing the books from dust, and re-arranging everything exactly as she had found it.
put on clothes
From this reading When Catharine arose to go, Elsie, following out the wilful instincts of her new character, crept close to old Mrs. Ford, and clung to her dress, entreating to be left; which flung the old couple into a state of absolute delight beautiful to behold.
remove the dust from
From this reading She would summon no help, but, closing the door which shut her out from the rest of the house, began to work diligently, cleansing the books from dust, and re-arranging everything exactly as she had found it.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Now she clung pleadingly to her mother’s dress, and, seating herself upon a low stool at her feet, began to amuse herself by arranging scraps of silk, which she found in her mother’s work-basket, with great nicety as to the colors, which made the old people look at each other with mournful smiles; it put them so in mind of old times, when she was indeed a child, body and mind.
Elsie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Catharine arose to go, Elsie, following out the wilful instincts of her new character, crept close to old Mrs. Ford, and clung to her dress, entreating to be left; which flung the old couple into a state of absolute delight beautiful to behold.
entreatingverbUS /enˈtriːtɪŋ/
-ing form of “entreat” — ask for or request earnestly
From this reading When Catharine arose to go, Elsie, following out the wilful instincts of her new character, crept close to old Mrs. Ford, and clung to her dress, entreating to be left; which flung the old couple into a state of absolute delight beautiful to behold.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading She would summon no help, but, closing the door which shut her out from the rest of the house, began to work diligently, cleansing the books from dust, and re-arranging everything exactly as she had found it.
indicating exactness or preciseness
From this reading She would summon no help, but, closing the door which shut her out from the rest of the house, began to work diligently, cleansing the books from dust, and re-arranging everything exactly as she had found it.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading Now she clung pleadingly to her mother’s dress, and, seating herself upon a low stool at her feet, began to amuse herself by arranging scraps of silk, which she found in her mother’s work-basket, with great nicety as to the colors, which made the old people look at each other with mournful smiles; it put them so in mind of old times, when she was indeed a child, body and mind.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading It was the first time their child had been content to remain alone with them since her sojourn in the house.
inflected form of “fling” — throw with force or recklessness
From this reading When Catharine arose to go, Elsie, following out the wilful instincts of her new character, crept close to old Mrs. Ford, and clung to her dress, entreating to be left; which flung the old couple into a state of absolute delight beautiful to behold.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading When Catharine arose to go, Elsie, following out the wilful instincts of her new character, crept close to old Mrs. Ford, and clung to her dress, entreating to be left; which flung the old couple into a state of absolute delight beautiful to behold.
FordnounUS /fɔːrd/
United States film maker (1896-1973)
From this reading When Catharine arose to go, Elsie, following out the wilful instincts of her new character, crept close to old Mrs. Ford, and clung to her dress, entreating to be left; which flung the old couple into a state of absolute delight beautiful to behold.
set up or found
From this reading Now she clung pleadingly to her mother’s dress, and, seating herself upon a low stool at her feet, began to amuse herself by arranging scraps of silk, which she found in her mother’s work-basket, with great nicety as to the colors, which made the old people look at each other with mournful smiles; it put them so in mind of old times, when she was indeed a child, body and mind.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading She would summon no help, but, closing the door which shut her out from the rest of the house, began to work diligently, cleansing the books from dust, and re-arranging everything exactly as she had found it.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading When Catharine arose to go, Elsie, following out the wilful instincts of her new character, crept close to old Mrs. Ford, and clung to her dress, entreating to be left; which flung the old couple into a state of absolute delight beautiful to behold.
destroyed or killed
From this reading Meantime Catharine had gone back to the library.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Now she clung pleadingly to her mother’s dress, and, seating herself upon a low stool at her feet, began to amuse herself by arranging scraps of silk, which she found in her mother’s work-basket, with great nicety as to the colors, which made the old people look at each other with mournful smiles; it put them so in mind of old times, when she was indeed a child, body and mind.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was the first time their child had been content to remain alone with them since her sojourn in the house.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading She would summon no help, but, closing the door which shut her out from the rest of the house, began to work diligently, cleansing the books from dust, and re-arranging everything exactly as she had found it.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading When Catharine arose to go, Elsie, following out the wilful instincts of her new character, crept close to old Mrs. Ford, and clung to her dress, entreating to be left; which flung the old couple into a state of absolute delight beautiful to behold.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading Now she clung pleadingly to her mother’s dress, and, seating herself upon a low stool at her feet, began to amuse herself by arranging scraps of silk, which she found in her mother’s work-basket, with great nicety as to the colors, which made the old people look at each other with mournful smiles; it put them so in mind of old times, when she was indeed a child, body and mind.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading It was the first time their child had been content to remain alone with them since her sojourn in the house.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was the first time their child had been content to remain alone with them since her sojourn in the house.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading Now she clung pleadingly to her mother’s dress, and, seating herself upon a low stool at her feet, began to amuse herself by arranging scraps of silk, which she found in her mother’s work-basket, with great nicety as to the colors, which made the old people look at each other with mournful smiles; it put them so in mind of old times, when she was indeed a child, body and mind.
instinctsnounUS /ˈɪnstɪŋkts/
plural of “instinct” — inborn pattern of behavior often responsive to specific stimuli
From this reading When Catharine arose to go, Elsie, following out the wilful instincts of her new character, crept close to old Mrs. Ford, and clung to her dress, entreating to be left; which flung the old couple into a state of absolute delight beautiful to behold.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading When Catharine arose to go, Elsie, following out the wilful instincts of her new character, crept close to old Mrs. Ford, and clung to her dress, entreating to be left; which flung the old couple into a state of absolute delight beautiful to behold.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was the first time their child had been content to remain alone with them since her sojourn in the house.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading When Catharine arose to go, Elsie, following out the wilful instincts of her new character, crept close to old Mrs. Ford, and clung to her dress, entreating to be left; which flung the old couple into a state of absolute delight beautiful to behold.
a room where books are kept
From this reading Meantime Catharine had gone back to the library.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Now she clung pleadingly to her mother’s dress, and, seating herself upon a low stool at her feet, began to amuse herself by arranging scraps of silk, which she found in her mother’s work-basket, with great nicety as to the colors, which made the old people look at each other with mournful smiles; it put them so in mind of old times, when she was indeed a child, body and mind.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading Now she clung pleadingly to her mother’s dress, and, seating herself upon a low stool at her feet, began to amuse herself by arranging scraps of silk, which she found in her mother’s work-basket, with great nicety as to the colors, which made the old people look at each other with mournful smiles; it put them so in mind of old times, when she was indeed a child, body and mind.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Now she clung pleadingly to her mother’s dress, and, seating herself upon a low stool at her feet, began to amuse herself by arranging scraps of silk, which she found in her mother’s work-basket, with great nicety as to the colors, which made the old people look at each other with mournful smiles; it put them so in mind of old times, when she was indeed a child, body and mind.
the time between one event, process, or period and another
From this reading Meantime Catharine had gone back to the library.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading Now she clung pleadingly to her mother’s dress, and, seating herself upon a low stool at her feet, began to amuse herself by arranging scraps of silk, which she found in her mother’s work-basket, with great nicety as to the colors, which made the old people look at each other with mournful smiles; it put them so in mind of old times, when she was indeed a child, body and mind.
mother'snounUS /ˈmʌðərz/
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 Now she clung pleadingly to her mother’s dress, and, seating herself upon a low stool at her feet, began to amuse herself by arranging scraps of silk, which she found in her mother’s work-basket, with great nicety as to the colors, which made the old people look at each other with mournful smiles; it put them so in mind of old times, when she was indeed a child, body and mind.
mournfuladjectiveUS /ˈmɔːrnfəl/
expressing sorrow
From this reading Now she clung pleadingly to her mother’s dress, and, seating herself upon a low stool at her feet, began to amuse herself by arranging scraps of silk, which she found in her mother’s work-basket, with great nicety as to the colors, which made the old people look at each other with mournful smiles; it put them so in mind of old times, when she was indeed a child, body and mind.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading When Catharine arose to go, Elsie, following out the wilful instincts of her new character, crept close to old Mrs. Ford, and clung to her dress, entreating to be left; which flung the old couple into a state of absolute delight beautiful to behold.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading When Catharine arose to go, Elsie, following out the wilful instincts of her new character, crept close to old Mrs. Ford, and clung to her dress, entreating to be left; which flung the old couple into a state of absolute delight beautiful to behold.
nicetynounUS /ˈnaɪsɪti/
conformity with some esthetic standard of correctness or propriety
From this reading Now she clung pleadingly to her mother’s dress, and, seating herself upon a low stool at her feet, began to amuse herself by arranging scraps of silk, which she found in her mother’s work-basket, with great nicety as to the colors, which made the old people look at each other with mournful smiles; it put them so in mind of old times, when she was indeed a child, body and mind.
not any; not one
From this reading She would summon no help, but, closing the door which shut her out from the rest of the house, began to work diligently, cleansing the books from dust, and re-arranging everything exactly as she had found it.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now she clung pleadingly to her mother’s dress, and, seating herself upon a low stool at her feet, began to amuse herself by arranging scraps of silk, which she found in her mother’s work-basket, with great nicety as to the colors, which made the old people look at each other with mournful smiles; it put them so in mind of old times, when she was indeed a child, body and mind.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When Catharine arose to go, Elsie, following out the wilful instincts of her new character, crept close to old Mrs. Ford, and clung to her dress, entreating to be left; which flung the old couple into a state of absolute delight beautiful to behold.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading When Catharine arose to go, Elsie, following out the wilful instincts of her new character, crept close to old Mrs. Ford, and clung to her dress, entreating to be left; which flung the old couple into a state of absolute delight beautiful to behold.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Now she clung pleadingly to her mother’s dress, and, seating herself upon a low stool at her feet, began to amuse herself by arranging scraps of silk, which she found in her mother’s work-basket, with great nicety as to the colors, which made the old people look at each other with mournful smiles; it put them so in mind of old times, when she was indeed a child, body and mind.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading When Catharine arose to go, Elsie, following out the wilful instincts of her new character, crept close to old Mrs. Ford, and clung to her dress, entreating to be left; which flung the old couple into a state of absolute delight beautiful to behold.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading Now she clung pleadingly to her mother’s dress, and, seating herself upon a low stool at her feet, began to amuse herself by arranging scraps of silk, which she found in her mother’s work-basket, with great nicety as to the colors, which made the old people look at each other with mournful smiles; it put them so in mind of old times, when she was indeed a child, body and mind.
pleadinglyadverb
in a beseeching manner
From this reading Now she clung pleadingly to her mother’s dress, and, seating herself upon a low stool at her feet, began to amuse herself by arranging scraps of silk, which she found in her mother’s work-basket, with great nicety as to the colors, which made the old people look at each other with mournful smiles; it put them so in mind of old times, when she was indeed a child, body and mind.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Now she clung pleadingly to her mother’s dress, and, seating herself upon a low stool at her feet, began to amuse herself by arranging scraps of silk, which she found in her mother’s work-basket, with great nicety as to the colors, which made the old people look at each other with mournful smiles; it put them so in mind of old times, when she was indeed a child, body and mind.
re-arranging
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She would summon no help, but, closing the door which shut her out from the rest of the house, began to work diligently, cleansing the books from dust, and re-arranging everything exactly as she had found it.
stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading It was the first time their child had been content to remain alone with them since her sojourn in the house.
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading She would summon no help, but, closing the door which shut her out from the rest of the house, began to work diligently, cleansing the books from dust, and re-arranging everything exactly as she had found it.
scrapsnounUS /skræps/
food that is discarded (as from a kitchen)
From this reading Now she clung pleadingly to her mother’s dress, and, seating herself upon a low stool at her feet, began to amuse herself by arranging scraps of silk, which she found in her mother’s work-basket, with great nicety as to the colors, which made the old people look at each other with mournful smiles; it put them so in mind of old times, when she was indeed a child, body and mind.
seatingnounUS /ˈsiːtɪŋ/
an area that includes places where several people can sit
From this reading Now she clung pleadingly to her mother’s dress, and, seating herself upon a low stool at her feet, began to amuse herself by arranging scraps of silk, which she found in her mother’s work-basket, with great nicety as to the colors, which made the old people look at each other with mournful smiles; it put them so in mind of old times, when she was indeed a child, body and mind.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Now she clung pleadingly to her mother’s dress, and, seating herself upon a low stool at her feet, began to amuse herself by arranging scraps of silk, which she found in her mother’s work-basket, with great nicety as to the colors, which made the old people look at each other with mournful smiles; it put them so in mind of old times, when she was indeed a child, body and mind.
move so that an opening or passage is obstructed; make shut
From this reading She would summon no help, but, closing the door which shut her out from the rest of the house, began to work diligently, cleansing the books from dust, and re-arranging everything exactly as she had found it.
a fabric made from the fine threads produced by certain insect larvae
From this reading Now she clung pleadingly to her mother’s dress, and, seating herself upon a low stool at her feet, began to amuse herself by arranging scraps of silk, which she found in her mother’s work-basket, with great nicety as to the colors, which made the old people look at each other with mournful smiles; it put them so in mind of old times, when she was indeed a child, body and mind.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading It was the first time their child had been content to remain alone with them since her sojourn in the house.
smilesnounUS /smaɪlz/
plural of “smile” — a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement
From this reading Now she clung pleadingly to her mother’s dress, and, seating herself upon a low stool at her feet, began to amuse herself by arranging scraps of silk, which she found in her mother’s work-basket, with great nicety as to the colors, which made the old people look at each other with mournful smiles; it put them so in mind of old times, when she was indeed a child, body and mind.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Now she clung pleadingly to her mother’s dress, and, seating herself upon a low stool at her feet, began to amuse herself by arranging scraps of silk, which she found in her mother’s work-basket, with great nicety as to the colors, which made the old people look at each other with mournful smiles; it put them so in mind of old times, when she was indeed a child, body and mind.
sojournnounUS /ˈsoʊdʒərn/
a temporary stay (e.g., as a guest)
From this reading It was the first time their child had been content to remain alone with them since her sojourn in the house.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading When Catharine arose to go, Elsie, following out the wilful instincts of her new character, crept close to old Mrs. Ford, and clung to her dress, entreating to be left; which flung the old couple into a state of absolute delight beautiful to behold.
stoolnounUS /stuːl/
a simple seat without a back or arms
From this reading Now she clung pleadingly to her mother’s dress, and, seating herself upon a low stool at her feet, began to amuse herself by arranging scraps of silk, which she found in her mother’s work-basket, with great nicety as to the colors, which made the old people look at each other with mournful smiles; it put them so in mind of old times, when she was indeed a child, body and mind.
summonverbUS /ˈsʌmən/
call in an official matter, such as to attend court
From this reading She would summon no help, but, closing the door which shut her out from the rest of the house, began to work diligently, cleansing the books from dust, and re-arranging everything exactly as she had found it.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When Catharine arose to go, Elsie, following out the wilful instincts of her new character, crept close to old Mrs. Ford, and clung to her dress, entreating to be left; which flung the old couple into a state of absolute delight beautiful to behold.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading It was the first time their child had been content to remain alone with them since her sojourn in the house.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading It was the first time their child had been content to remain alone with them since her sojourn in the house.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading It was the first time their child had been content to remain alone with them since her sojourn in the house.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading Now she clung pleadingly to her mother’s dress, and, seating herself upon a low stool at her feet, began to amuse herself by arranging scraps of silk, which she found in her mother’s work-basket, with great nicety as to the colors, which made the old people look at each other with mournful smiles; it put them so in mind of old times, when she was indeed a child, body and mind.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When Catharine arose to go, Elsie, following out the wilful instincts of her new character, crept close to old Mrs. Ford, and clung to her dress, entreating to be left; which flung the old couple into a state of absolute delight beautiful to behold.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Now she clung pleadingly to her mother’s dress, and, seating herself upon a low stool at her feet, began to amuse herself by arranging scraps of silk, which she found in her mother’s work-basket, with great nicety as to the colors, which made the old people look at each other with mournful smiles; it put them so in mind of old times, when she was indeed a child, body and mind.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was the first time their child had been content to remain alone with them since her sojourn in the house.
at the time that
From this reading When Catharine arose to go, Elsie, following out the wilful instincts of her new character, crept close to old Mrs. Ford, and clung to her dress, entreating to be left; which flung the old couple into a state of absolute delight beautiful to behold.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading When Catharine arose to go, Elsie, following out the wilful instincts of her new character, crept close to old Mrs. Ford, and clung to her dress, entreating to be left; which flung the old couple into a state of absolute delight beautiful to behold.
wilfuladjective
done by design
From this reading When Catharine arose to go, Elsie, following out the wilful instincts of her new character, crept close to old Mrs. Ford, and clung to her dress, entreating to be left; which flung the old couple into a state of absolute delight beautiful to behold.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was the first time their child had been content to remain alone with them since her sojourn in the house.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading She would summon no help, but, closing the door which shut her out from the rest of the house, began to work diligently, cleansing the books from dust, and re-arranging everything exactly as she had found it.
work-basket
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now she clung pleadingly to her mother’s dress, and, seating herself upon a low stool at her feet, began to amuse herself by arranging scraps of silk, which she found in her mother’s work-basket, with great nicety as to the colors, which made the old people look at each other with mournful smiles; it put them so in mind of old times, when she was indeed a child, body and mind.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading She would summon no help, but, closing the door which shut her out from the rest of the house, began to work diligently, cleansing the books from dust, and re-arranging everything exactly as she had found it.
