used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There was a new servant in Mrs. Townsend Oakley’s household; a large-featured, energetic person, whom the housekeeper had engaged in town as a chambermaid.
agitationnounUS /ˌædʒəˈteɪʃən/
a mental state of extreme emotional disturbance
From this reading She saw Catharine draw the boy toward her, and remarked the look of agitation which could not be misunderstood, on discovering the cross upon his temple.
(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 This woman was busy in the west room, when Catharine entered Mrs. Oakley’s parlor, and though occupied, she kept a vigilant watch on all that was passing between the two young women.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading This woman was busy in the west room, when Catharine entered Mrs. Oakley’s parlor, and though occupied, she kept a vigilant watch on all that was passing between the two young women.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading The distance prevented her hearing any words, but as she fixed her scrutiny upon the various faces of that little group, a gleam of sharp intelligence shot from her eyes, she softly laid down her duster, and keeping out of sight in the movement, crept stealthily behind the half-open door.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading There was a new servant in Mrs. Townsend Oakley’s household; a large-featured, energetic person, whom the housekeeper had engaged in town as a chambermaid.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading She saw Catharine draw the boy toward her, and remarked the look of agitation which could not be misunderstood, on discovering the cross upon his temple.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading The distance prevented her hearing any words, but as she fixed her scrutiny upon the various faces of that little group, a gleam of sharp intelligence shot from her eyes, she softly laid down her duster, and keeping out of sight in the movement, crept stealthily behind the half-open door.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading This woman was busy in the west room, when Catharine entered Mrs. Oakley’s parlor, and though occupied, she kept a vigilant watch on all that was passing between the two young women.
a youthful male person
From this reading She saw Catharine draw the boy toward her, and remarked the look of agitation which could not be misunderstood, on discovering the cross upon his temple.
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading This woman was busy in the west room, when Catharine entered Mrs. Oakley’s parlor, and though occupied, she kept a vigilant watch on all that was passing between the two young women.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The distance prevented her hearing any words, but as she fixed her scrutiny upon the various faces of that little group, a gleam of sharp intelligence shot from her eyes, she softly laid down her duster, and keeping out of sight in the movement, crept stealthily behind the half-open door.
Catharine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This woman was busy in the west room, when Catharine entered Mrs. Oakley’s parlor, and though occupied, she kept a vigilant watch on all that was passing between the two young women.
chambermaidnoun
a maid who is employed to clean and care for bedrooms (now primarily in hotels)
From this reading There was a new servant in Mrs. Townsend Oakley’s household; a large-featured, energetic person, whom the housekeeper had engaged in town as a chambermaid.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading She saw Catharine draw the boy toward her, and remarked the look of agitation which could not be misunderstood, on discovering the cross upon his temple.
inflected form of “creep” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground
From this reading The distance prevented her hearing any words, but as she fixed her scrutiny upon the various faces of that little group, a gleam of sharp intelligence shot from her eyes, she softly laid down her duster, and keeping out of sight in the movement, crept stealthily behind the half-open door.
travel across or pass over
From this reading She saw Catharine draw the boy toward her, and remarked the look of agitation which could not be misunderstood, on discovering the cross upon his temple.
discoveringverbUS /dɪˈskʌvərɪŋ/
-ing form of “discover” — discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of
From this reading She saw Catharine draw the boy toward her, and remarked the look of agitation which could not be misunderstood, on discovering the cross upon his temple.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading The distance prevented her hearing any words, but as she fixed her scrutiny upon the various faces of that little group, a gleam of sharp intelligence shot from her eyes, she softly laid down her duster, and keeping out of sight in the movement, crept stealthily behind the half-open door.
distinctadjectiveUS /dɪˈstɪŋkt/
(often followed by “from”) not alike; different in nature or quality
From this reading Now she could hear their voices, low and troubled, but still distinct to her keen ear.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading The distance prevented her hearing any words, but as she fixed her scrutiny upon the various faces of that little group, a gleam of sharp intelligence shot from her eyes, she softly laid down her duster, and keeping out of sight in the movement, crept stealthily behind the half-open door.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The distance prevented her hearing any words, but as she fixed her scrutiny upon the various faces of that little group, a gleam of sharp intelligence shot from her eyes, she softly laid down her duster, and keeping out of sight in the movement, crept stealthily behind the half-open door.
cause to move by pulling
From this reading She saw Catharine draw the boy toward her, and remarked the look of agitation which could not be misunderstood, on discovering the cross upon his temple.
dusternounUS /ˈdʌstər/
a windstorm that lifts up clouds of dust or sand
From this reading The distance prevented her hearing any words, but as she fixed her scrutiny upon the various faces of that little group, a gleam of sharp intelligence shot from her eyes, she softly laid down her duster, and keeping out of sight in the movement, crept stealthily behind the half-open door.
the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading Now she could hear their voices, low and troubled, but still distinct to her keen ear.
energeticadjectiveUS /ˌenərˈdʒetɪk/
possessing or exerting or displaying energy
From this reading There was a new servant in Mrs. Townsend Oakley’s household; a large-featured, energetic person, whom the housekeeper had engaged in town as a chambermaid.
having ones attention or mind or energy engaged
From this reading There was a new servant in Mrs. Townsend Oakley’s household; a large-featured, energetic person, whom the housekeeper had engaged in town as a chambermaid.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading This woman was busy in the west room, when Catharine entered Mrs. Oakley’s parlor, and though occupied, she kept a vigilant watch on all that was passing between the two young women.
opinion or judgment
From this reading The distance prevented her hearing any words, but as she fixed her scrutiny upon the various faces of that little group, a gleam of sharp intelligence shot from her eyes, she softly laid down her duster, and keeping out of sight in the movement, crept stealthily behind the half-open door.
plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading The distance prevented her hearing any words, but as she fixed her scrutiny upon the various faces of that little group, a gleam of sharp intelligence shot from her eyes, she softly laid down her duster, and keeping out of sight in the movement, crept stealthily behind the half-open door.
(of a number) having a fixed and unchanging value
From this reading The distance prevented her hearing any words, but as she fixed her scrutiny upon the various faces of that little group, a gleam of sharp intelligence shot from her eyes, she softly laid down her duster, and keeping out of sight in the movement, crept stealthily behind the half-open door.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The distance prevented her hearing any words, but as she fixed her scrutiny upon the various faces of that little group, a gleam of sharp intelligence shot from her eyes, she softly laid down her duster, and keeping out of sight in the movement, crept stealthily behind the half-open door.
gleamverbUS /ɡliːm/
be shiny, as if wet
From this reading The distance prevented her hearing any words, but as she fixed her scrutiny upon the various faces of that little group, a gleam of sharp intelligence shot from her eyes, she softly laid down her duster, and keeping out of sight in the movement, crept stealthily behind the half-open door.
any number of entities (members) considered as a unit
From this reading The distance prevented her hearing any words, but as she fixed her scrutiny upon the various faces of that little group, a gleam of sharp intelligence shot from her eyes, she softly laid down her duster, and keeping out of sight in the movement, crept stealthily behind the half-open door.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading There was a new servant in Mrs. Townsend Oakley’s household; a large-featured, energetic person, whom the housekeeper had engaged in town as a chambermaid.
half-open
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The distance prevented her hearing any words, but as she fixed her scrutiny upon the various faces of that little group, a gleam of sharp intelligence shot from her eyes, she softly laid down her duster, and keeping out of sight in the movement, crept stealthily behind the half-open door.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading Now she could hear their voices, low and troubled, but still distinct to her keen ear.
(law) a proceeding (usually by a court) where evidence is taken for the purpose of determining an issue of fact and reaching a decision based on that evidence
From this reading The distance prevented her hearing any words, but as she fixed her scrutiny upon the various faces of that little group, a gleam of sharp intelligence shot from her eyes, she softly laid down her duster, and keeping out of sight in the movement, crept stealthily behind the half-open door.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She saw Catharine draw the boy toward her, and remarked the look of agitation which could not be misunderstood, on discovering the cross upon his temple.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading She saw Catharine draw the boy toward her, and remarked the look of agitation which could not be misunderstood, on discovering the cross upon his temple.
a social unit living together
From this reading There was a new servant in Mrs. Townsend Oakley’s household; a large-featured, energetic person, whom the housekeeper had engaged in town as a chambermaid.
housekeepernounUS /ˈhaʊskiːpər/
a servant who is employed to perform domestic task in a household
From this reading There was a new servant in Mrs. Townsend Oakley’s household; a large-featured, energetic person, whom the housekeeper had engaged in town as a chambermaid.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There was a new servant in Mrs. Townsend Oakley’s household; a large-featured, energetic person, whom the housekeeper had engaged in town as a chambermaid.
the ability to comprehend; to understand and profit from experience
From this reading The distance prevented her hearing any words, but as she fixed her scrutiny upon the various faces of that little group, a gleam of sharp intelligence shot from her eyes, she softly laid down her duster, and keeping out of sight in the movement, crept stealthily behind the half-open door.
having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
From this reading Now she could hear their voices, low and troubled, but still distinct to her keen ear.
conformity or harmony
From this reading The distance prevented her hearing any words, but as she fixed her scrutiny upon the various faces of that little group, a gleam of sharp intelligence shot from her eyes, she softly laid down her duster, and keeping out of sight in the movement, crept stealthily behind the half-open door.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading This woman was busy in the west room, when Catharine entered Mrs. Oakley’s parlor, and though occupied, she kept a vigilant watch on all that was passing between the two young women.
set down according to a plan
From this reading The distance prevented her hearing any words, but as she fixed her scrutiny upon the various faces of that little group, a gleam of sharp intelligence shot from her eyes, she softly laid down her duster, and keeping out of sight in the movement, crept stealthily behind the half-open door.
large-featured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a new servant in Mrs. Townsend Oakley’s household; a large-featured, energetic person, whom the housekeeper had engaged in town as a chambermaid.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The distance prevented her hearing any words, but as she fixed her scrutiny upon the various faces of that little group, a gleam of sharp intelligence shot from her eyes, she softly laid down her duster, and keeping out of sight in the movement, crept stealthily behind the half-open door.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading She saw Catharine draw the boy toward her, and remarked the look of agitation which could not be misunderstood, on discovering the cross upon his temple.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading Now she could hear their voices, low and troubled, but still distinct to her keen ear.
misunderstoodadjectiveUS /ˌmɪsəndərˈstʊd/
wrongly understood
From this reading She saw Catharine draw the boy toward her, and remarked the look of agitation which could not be misunderstood, on discovering the cross upon his temple.
a change of position that does not entail a change of location
From this reading The distance prevented her hearing any words, but as she fixed her scrutiny upon the various faces of that little group, a gleam of sharp intelligence shot from her eyes, she softly laid down her duster, and keeping out of sight in the movement, crept stealthily behind the half-open door.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading There was a new servant in Mrs. Townsend Oakley’s household; a large-featured, energetic person, whom the housekeeper had engaged in town as a chambermaid.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading There was a new servant in Mrs. Townsend Oakley’s household; a large-featured, energetic person, whom the housekeeper had engaged in town as a chambermaid.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She saw Catharine draw the boy toward her, and remarked the look of agitation which could not be misunderstood, on discovering the cross upon his temple.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now she could hear their voices, low and troubled, but still distinct to her keen ear.
Oakley'snounUS /ˈoʊkliz/
possessive form of “oakley” — United States sharpshooter who was featured in Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show (1860-1926)
From this reading There was a new servant in Mrs. Townsend Oakley’s household; a large-featured, energetic person, whom the housekeeper had engaged in town as a chambermaid.
held or filled or in use
From this reading This woman was busy in the west room, when Catharine entered Mrs. Oakley’s parlor, and though occupied, she kept a vigilant watch on all that was passing between the two young women.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She saw Catharine draw the boy toward her, and remarked the look of agitation which could not be misunderstood, on discovering the cross upon his temple.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading This woman was busy in the west room, when Catharine entered Mrs. Oakley’s parlor, and though occupied, she kept a vigilant watch on all that was passing between the two young women.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The distance prevented her hearing any words, but as she fixed her scrutiny upon the various faces of that little group, a gleam of sharp intelligence shot from her eyes, she softly laid down her duster, and keeping out of sight in the movement, crept stealthily behind the half-open door.
parlornounUS /ˈpɑːrlər/
reception room in an inn or club where visitors can be received
From this reading This woman was busy in the west room, when Catharine entered Mrs. Oakley’s parlor, and though occupied, she kept a vigilant watch on all that was passing between the two young women.
(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate
From this reading This woman was busy in the west room, when Catharine entered Mrs. Oakley’s parlor, and though occupied, she kept a vigilant watch on all that was passing between the two young women.
a human being
From this reading There was a new servant in Mrs. Townsend Oakley’s household; a large-featured, energetic person, whom the housekeeper had engaged in town as a chambermaid.
preventedverbUS /prɪˈventɪd/
past form of “prevent” — keep from happening or arising; make impossible
From this reading The distance prevented her hearing any words, but as she fixed her scrutiny upon the various faces of that little group, a gleam of sharp intelligence shot from her eyes, she softly laid down her duster, and keeping out of sight in the movement, crept stealthily behind the half-open door.
past form of “remark” — make mention of
From this reading She saw Catharine draw the boy toward her, and remarked the look of agitation which could not be misunderstood, on discovering the cross upon his temple.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading This woman was busy in the west room, when Catharine entered Mrs. Oakley’s parlor, and though occupied, she kept a vigilant watch on all that was passing between the two young women.
cut with a saw
From this reading She saw Catharine draw the boy toward her, and remarked the look of agitation which could not be misunderstood, on discovering the cross upon his temple.
scrutinynounUS /ˈskruːtəni/
the act of examining something closely (as for mistakes)
From this reading The distance prevented her hearing any words, but as she fixed her scrutiny upon the various faces of that little group, a gleam of sharp intelligence shot from her eyes, she softly laid down her duster, and keeping out of sight in the movement, crept stealthily behind the half-open door.
a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
From this reading There was a new servant in Mrs. Townsend Oakley’s household; a large-featured, energetic person, whom the housekeeper had engaged in town as a chambermaid.
(of something seen or heard) clearly defined
From this reading The distance prevented her hearing any words, but as she fixed her scrutiny upon the various faces of that little group, a gleam of sharp intelligence shot from her eyes, she softly laid down her duster, and keeping out of sight in the movement, crept stealthily behind the half-open door.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading This woman was busy in the west room, when Catharine entered Mrs. Oakley’s parlor, and though occupied, she kept a vigilant watch on all that was passing between the two young women.
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading The distance prevented her hearing any words, but as she fixed her scrutiny upon the various faces of that little group, a gleam of sharp intelligence shot from her eyes, she softly laid down her duster, and keeping out of sight in the movement, crept stealthily behind the half-open door.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading The distance prevented her hearing any words, but as she fixed her scrutiny upon the various faces of that little group, a gleam of sharp intelligence shot from her eyes, she softly laid down her duster, and keeping out of sight in the movement, crept stealthily behind the half-open door.
with low volume
From this reading The distance prevented her hearing any words, but as she fixed her scrutiny upon the various faces of that little group, a gleam of sharp intelligence shot from her eyes, she softly laid down her duster, and keeping out of sight in the movement, crept stealthily behind the half-open door.
stealthilyadverb
in a stealthy manner
From this reading The distance prevented her hearing any words, but as she fixed her scrutiny upon the various faces of that little group, a gleam of sharp intelligence shot from her eyes, she softly laid down her duster, and keeping out of sight in the movement, crept stealthily behind the half-open door.
not in physical motion
From this reading Now she could hear their voices, low and troubled, but still distinct to her keen ear.
place of worship consisting of an edifice for the worship of a deity
From this reading She saw Catharine draw the boy toward her, and remarked the look of agitation which could not be misunderstood, on discovering the cross upon his temple.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading This woman was busy in the west room, when Catharine entered Mrs. Oakley’s parlor, and though occupied, she kept a vigilant watch on all that was passing between the two young women.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading There was a new servant in Mrs. Townsend Oakley’s household; a large-featured, energetic person, whom the housekeeper had engaged in town as a chambermaid.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Now she could hear their voices, low and troubled, but still distinct to her keen ear.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was a new servant in Mrs. Townsend Oakley’s household; a large-featured, energetic person, whom the housekeeper had engaged in town as a chambermaid.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This woman was busy in the west room, when Catharine entered Mrs. Oakley’s parlor, and though occupied, she kept a vigilant watch on all that was passing between the two young women.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading This woman was busy in the west room, when Catharine entered Mrs. Oakley’s parlor, and though occupied, she kept a vigilant watch on all that was passing between the two young women.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Now she could hear their voices, low and troubled, but still distinct to her keen ear.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading She saw Catharine draw the boy toward her, and remarked the look of agitation which could not be misunderstood, on discovering the cross upon his temple.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading There was a new servant in Mrs. Townsend Oakley’s household; a large-featured, energetic person, whom the housekeeper had engaged in town as a chambermaid.
TownsendnounUS /ˈtaʊnzənd/
United States social reformer who proposed an old-age pension sponsored by the federal government; his plan was a precursor to Social Security (1867-1960)
From this reading There was a new servant in Mrs. Townsend Oakley’s household; a large-featured, energetic person, whom the housekeeper had engaged in town as a chambermaid.
characterized by or indicative of distress or affliction or danger or need
From this reading Now she could hear their voices, low and troubled, but still distinct to her keen ear.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading This woman was busy in the west room, when Catharine entered Mrs. Oakley’s parlor, and though occupied, she kept a vigilant watch on all that was passing between the two young women.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading She saw Catharine draw the boy toward her, and remarked the look of agitation which could not be misunderstood, on discovering the cross upon his temple.
of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity
From this reading The distance prevented her hearing any words, but as she fixed her scrutiny upon the various faces of that little group, a gleam of sharp intelligence shot from her eyes, she softly laid down her duster, and keeping out of sight in the movement, crept stealthily behind the half-open door.
vigilantadjectiveUS /ˈvɪdʒələnt/
carefully observant or attentive; on the lookout for possible danger
From this reading This woman was busy in the west room, when Catharine entered Mrs. Oakley’s parlor, and though occupied, she kept a vigilant watch on all that was passing between the two young women.
plural of “voice” — the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading Now she could hear their voices, low and troubled, but still distinct to her keen ear.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was a new servant in Mrs. Townsend Oakley’s household; a large-featured, energetic person, whom the housekeeper had engaged in town as a chambermaid.
look attentively
From this reading This woman was busy in the west room, when Catharine entered Mrs. Oakley’s parlor, and though occupied, she kept a vigilant watch on all that was passing between the two young women.
the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America
From this reading This woman was busy in the west room, when Catharine entered Mrs. Oakley’s parlor, and though occupied, she kept a vigilant watch on all that was passing between the two young women.
at the time that
From this reading This woman was busy in the west room, when Catharine entered Mrs. Oakley’s parlor, and though occupied, she kept a vigilant watch on all that was passing between the two young women.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading She saw Catharine draw the boy toward her, and remarked the look of agitation which could not be misunderstood, on discovering the cross upon his temple.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading There was a new servant in Mrs. Townsend Oakley’s household; a large-featured, energetic person, whom the housekeeper had engaged in town as a chambermaid.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading This woman was busy in the west room, when Catharine entered Mrs. Oakley’s parlor, and though occupied, she kept a vigilant watch on all that was passing between the two young women.
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading This woman was busy in the west room, when Catharine entered Mrs. Oakley’s parlor, and though occupied, she kept a vigilant watch on all that was passing between the two young women.
the words that are spoken
From this reading The distance prevented her hearing any words, but as she fixed her scrutiny upon the various faces of that little group, a gleam of sharp intelligence shot from her eyes, she softly laid down her duster, and keeping out of sight in the movement, crept stealthily behind the half-open door.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading This woman was busy in the west room, when Catharine entered Mrs. Oakley’s parlor, and though occupied, she kept a vigilant watch on all that was passing between the two young women.
