used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The housewife instinct in her was a strong one and her nurse’s training had given her an additional interest in the means which were adopted to give comfort to these poor blind beggars--for beggars most of them were.
additionaladjectiveUS /əˈdɪʃənəl/
further or added
From this reading The housewife instinct in her was a strong one and her nurse’s training had given her an additional interest in the means which were adopted to give comfort to these poor blind beggars--for beggars most of them were.
adoptedadjectiveUS /əˈdɑːptɪd/
acquired as your own by free choice
From this reading The housewife instinct in her was a strong one and her nurse’s training had given her an additional interest in the means which were adopted to give comfort to these poor blind beggars--for beggars most of them were.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The housewife instinct in her was a strong one and her nurse’s training had given her an additional interest in the means which were adopted to give comfort to these poor blind beggars--for beggars most of them were.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Diana Ward had strolled to the farther end of the dormitory and was feeling the texture of the rough sheets.
make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading She had heard the superintendent ask Larry to open the window, and she was watching idly, when the door of the cupboard behind her opened without a sound and a barefooted man crept out.
barefootedadjective
without shoes
From this reading She had heard the superintendent ask Larry to open the window, and she was watching idly, when the door of the cupboard behind her opened without a sound and a barefooted man crept out.
beggarsnounUS /ˈbeɡərz/
plural of “beggar” — a pauper who lives by begging
From this reading The housewife instinct in her was a strong one and her nurse’s training had given her an additional interest in the means which were adopted to give comfort to these poor blind beggars--for beggars most of them were.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading She had heard the superintendent ask Larry to open the window, and she was watching idly, when the door of the cupboard behind her opened without a sound and a barefooted man crept out.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading The first thing that Diana knew was that something like a piece of wet chamois leather was over her face, and she was being lifted bodily.
people who have severe visual impairments, considered as a group
From this reading The housewife instinct in her was a strong one and her nurse’s training had given her an additional interest in the means which were adopted to give comfort to these poor blind beggars--for beggars most of them were.
bodilyadverbUS /ˈbɑːdəli/
in bodily form
From this reading The first thing that Diana knew was that something like a piece of wet chamois leather was over her face, and she was being lifted bodily.
chamoisnoun
a soft suede leather formerly from the skin of the chamois antelope but now from sheepskin
From this reading The first thing that Diana knew was that something like a piece of wet chamois leather was over her face, and she was being lifted bodily.
a state of being relaxed and feeling no pain
From this reading The housewife instinct in her was a strong one and her nurse’s training had given her an additional interest in the means which were adopted to give comfort to these poor blind beggars--for beggars most of them were.
inflected form of “creep” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground
From this reading She had heard the superintendent ask Larry to open the window, and she was watching idly, when the door of the cupboard behind her opened without a sound and a barefooted man crept out.
cupboardnounUS /ˈkʌbərd/
a small room (or recess) or cabinet used for storage space
From this reading She had heard the superintendent ask Larry to open the window, and she was watching idly, when the door of the cupboard behind her opened without a sound and a barefooted man crept out.
DiananounUS /daɪˈænə/
English aristocrat who was the first wife of Prince Charles; her death in an automobile accident in Paris produced intense national mourning (1961-1997)
From this reading Diana Ward had strolled to the farther end of the dormitory and was feeling the texture of the rough sheets.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading She had heard the superintendent ask Larry to open the window, and she was watching idly, when the door of the cupboard behind her opened without a sound and a barefooted man crept out.
dormitorynounUS /ˈdɔːrmətɔːri/
a college or university building containing living quarters for students
From this reading Diana Ward had strolled to the farther end of the dormitory and was feeling the texture of the rough sheets.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading Diana Ward had strolled to the farther end of the dormitory and was feeling the texture of the rough sheets.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading The first thing that Diana knew was that something like a piece of wet chamois leather was over her face, and she was being lifted bodily.
more distant in especially space or time
From this reading Diana Ward had strolled to the farther end of the dormitory and was feeling the texture of the rough sheets.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading Diana Ward had strolled to the farther end of the dormitory and was feeling the texture of the rough sheets.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The first thing that Diana knew was that something like a piece of wet chamois leather was over her face, and she was being lifted bodily.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The housewife instinct in her was a strong one and her nurse’s training had given her an additional interest in the means which were adopted to give comfort to these poor blind beggars--for beggars most of them were.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading The housewife instinct in her was a strong one and her nurse’s training had given her an additional interest in the means which were adopted to give comfort to these poor blind beggars--for beggars most of them were.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading The housewife instinct in her was a strong one and her nurse’s training had given her an additional interest in the means which were adopted to give comfort to these poor blind beggars--for beggars most of them were.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Diana Ward had strolled to the farther end of the dormitory and was feeling the texture of the rough sheets.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading She had heard the superintendent ask Larry to open the window, and she was watching idly, when the door of the cupboard behind her opened without a sound and a barefooted man crept out.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The housewife instinct in her was a strong one and her nurse’s training had given her an additional interest in the means which were adopted to give comfort to these poor blind beggars--for beggars most of them were.
housewifenounUS /ˈhaʊswaɪf/
a wife who manages a household while her husband earns the family income
From this reading The housewife instinct in her was a strong one and her nurse’s training had given her an additional interest in the means which were adopted to give comfort to these poor blind beggars--for beggars most of them were.
idlyadverbUS /ˈaɪdli/
in an idle manner
From this reading She had heard the superintendent ask Larry to open the window, and she was watching idly, when the door of the cupboard behind her opened without a sound and a barefooted man crept out.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The housewife instinct in her was a strong one and her nurse’s training had given her an additional interest in the means which were adopted to give comfort to these poor blind beggars--for beggars most of them were.
inborn pattern of behavior often responsive to specific stimuli
From this reading The housewife instinct in her was a strong one and her nurse’s training had given her an additional interest in the means which were adopted to give comfort to these poor blind beggars--for beggars most of them were.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading The housewife instinct in her was a strong one and her nurse’s training had given her an additional interest in the means which were adopted to give comfort to these poor blind beggars--for beggars most of them were.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading The first thing that Diana knew was that something like a piece of wet chamois leather was over her face, and she was being lifted bodily.
Larry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had heard the superintendent ask Larry to open the window, and she was watching idly, when the door of the cupboard behind her opened without a sound and a barefooted man crept out.
leathernounUS /ˈleðər/
an animal skin made smooth and flexible by removing the hair and then tanning
From this reading The first thing that Diana knew was that something like a piece of wet chamois leather was over her face, and she was being lifted bodily.
held up in the air
From this reading The first thing that Diana knew was that something like a piece of wet chamois leather was over her face, and she was being lifted bodily.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The first thing that Diana knew was that something like a piece of wet chamois leather was over her face, and she was being lifted bodily.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading She had heard the superintendent ask Larry to open the window, and she was watching idly, when the door of the cupboard behind her opened without a sound and a barefooted man crept out.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading The housewife instinct in her was a strong one and her nurse’s training had given her an additional interest in the means which were adopted to give comfort to these poor blind beggars--for beggars most of them were.
used to form the superlative
From this reading The housewife instinct in her was a strong one and her nurse’s training had given her an additional interest in the means which were adopted to give comfort to these poor blind beggars--for beggars most of them were.
nurse'snounUS /ˈnɜːrsɪz/
possessive form of “nurse” — one skilled in caring for young children or the sick (usually under the supervision of a physician)
From this reading The housewife instinct in her was a strong one and her nurse’s training had given her an additional interest in the means which were adopted to give comfort to these poor blind beggars--for beggars most of them were.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Diana Ward had strolled to the farther end of the dormitory and was feeling the texture of the rough sheets.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The housewife instinct in her was a strong one and her nurse’s training had given her an additional interest in the means which were adopted to give comfort to these poor blind beggars--for beggars most of them were.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading She had heard the superintendent ask Larry to open the window, and she was watching idly, when the door of the cupboard behind her opened without a sound and a barefooted man crept out.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading She had heard the superintendent ask Larry to open the window, and she was watching idly, when the door of the cupboard behind her opened without a sound and a barefooted man crept out.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading She had heard the superintendent ask Larry to open the window, and she was watching idly, when the door of the cupboard behind her opened without a sound and a barefooted man crept out.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The first thing that Diana knew was that something like a piece of wet chamois leather was over her face, and she was being lifted bodily.
paralyzedadjectiveUS /ˈperəlaɪzd/
affected with paralysis
From this reading For a second she was paralyzed, and in that second she had passed through the cupboard and the wall behind.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading For a second she was paralyzed, and in that second she had passed through the cupboard and the wall behind.
a separate part of a whole
From this reading The first thing that Diana knew was that something like a piece of wet chamois leather was over her face, and she was being lifted bodily.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading The housewife instinct in her was a strong one and her nurse’s training had given her an additional interest in the means which were adopted to give comfort to these poor blind beggars--for beggars most of them were.
having or caused by an irregular surface
From this reading Diana Ward had strolled to the farther end of the dormitory and was feeling the texture of the rough sheets.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading For a second she was paralyzed, and in that second she had passed through the cupboard and the wall behind.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She had heard the superintendent ask Larry to open the window, and she was watching idly, when the door of the cupboard behind her opened without a sound and a barefooted man crept out.
sheetsnounUS /ʃiːts/
plural of “sheet” — any broad thin expanse or surface
From this reading Diana Ward had strolled to the farther end of the dormitory and was feeling the texture of the rough sheets.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading The first thing that Diana knew was that something like a piece of wet chamois leather was over her face, and she was being lifted bodily.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading She had heard the superintendent ask Larry to open the window, and she was watching idly, when the door of the cupboard behind her opened without a sound and a barefooted man crept out.
strolledverbUS /stroʊld/
past form of “stroll” — walk leisurely and with no apparent aim
From this reading Diana Ward had strolled to the farther end of the dormitory and was feeling the texture of the rough sheets.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading The housewife instinct in her was a strong one and her nurse’s training had given her an additional interest in the means which were adopted to give comfort to these poor blind beggars--for beggars most of them were.
superintendentnounUS /ˌsuːpərənˈtendənt/
a person who directs and manages an organization
From this reading She had heard the superintendent ask Larry to open the window, and she was watching idly, when the door of the cupboard behind her opened without a sound and a barefooted man crept out.
texturenounUS /ˈtekstʃər/
the feel of a surface or a fabric
From this reading Diana Ward had strolled to the farther end of the dormitory and was feeling the texture of the rough sheets.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The first thing that Diana knew was that something like a piece of wet chamois leather was over her face, and she was being lifted bodily.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Diana Ward had strolled to the farther end of the dormitory and was feeling the texture of the rough sheets.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The housewife instinct in her was a strong one and her nurse’s training had given her an additional interest in the means which were adopted to give comfort to these poor blind beggars--for beggars most of them were.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading The housewife instinct in her was a strong one and her nurse’s training had given her an additional interest in the means which were adopted to give comfort to these poor blind beggars--for beggars most of them were.
a special situation
From this reading The first thing that Diana knew was that something like a piece of wet chamois leather was over her face, and she was being lifted bodily.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading For a second she was paralyzed, and in that second she had passed through the cupboard and the wall behind.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Diana Ward had strolled to the farther end of the dormitory and was feeling the texture of the rough sheets.
trainingnounUS /ˈtreɪnɪŋ/
activity leading to skilled behavior
From this reading The housewife instinct in her was a strong one and her nurse’s training had given her an additional interest in the means which were adopted to give comfort to these poor blind beggars--for beggars most of them were.
an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading For a second she was paralyzed, and in that second she had passed through the cupboard and the wall behind.
WardnounUS /wɔːrd/
a person who is under the protection or in the custody of another
From this reading Diana Ward had strolled to the farther end of the dormitory and was feeling the texture of the rough sheets.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Diana Ward had strolled to the farther end of the dormitory and was feeling the texture of the rough sheets.
the act of observing; taking a patient look
From this reading She had heard the superintendent ask Larry to open the window, and she was watching idly, when the door of the cupboard behind her opened without a sound and a barefooted man crept out.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The housewife instinct in her was a strong one and her nurse’s training had given her an additional interest in the means which were adopted to give comfort to these poor blind beggars--for beggars most of them were.
covered or soaked with a liquid such as water
From this reading The first thing that Diana knew was that something like a piece of wet chamois leather was over her face, and she was being lifted bodily.
at the time that
From this reading She had heard the superintendent ask Larry to open the window, and she was watching idly, when the door of the cupboard behind her opened without a sound and a barefooted man crept out.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The housewife instinct in her was a strong one and her nurse’s training had given her an additional interest in the means which were adopted to give comfort to these poor blind beggars--for beggars most of them were.
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 She had heard the superintendent ask Larry to open the window, and she was watching idly, when the door of the cupboard behind her opened without a sound and a barefooted man crept out.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading She had heard the superintendent ask Larry to open the window, and she was watching idly, when the door of the cupboard behind her opened without a sound and a barefooted man crept out.
