used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading She pressed her hands over her eyes, for a few minutes, and then looked at the writing again.
anew
From this reading She pressed her hands over her eyes, for a few minutes, and then looked at the writing again.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The instant Sarah Leeson had turned the key of her bedroom door, she took the sheet of note-paper from its place of concealment in her bosom--shuddering, when she drew it out, as if the mere contact of it hurt her--placed it open on her little dressing-table, and fixed her eyes eagerly on the lines which the note contained.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The instant Sarah Leeson had turned the key of her bedroom door, she took the sheet of note-paper from its place of concealment in her bosom--shuddering, when she drew it out, as if the mere contact of it hurt her--placed it open on her little dressing-table, and fixed her eyes eagerly on the lines which the note contained.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At first they swam and mingled together before her.
a room used primarily for sleeping
From this reading The instant Sarah Leeson had turned the key of her bedroom door, she took the sheet of note-paper from its place of concealment in her bosom--shuddering, when she drew it out, as if the mere contact of it hurt her--placed it open on her little dressing-table, and fixed her eyes eagerly on the lines which the note contained.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading At first they swam and mingled together before her.
the chest considered as the place where secret thoughts are kept
From this reading The instant Sarah Leeson had turned the key of her bedroom door, she took the sheet of note-paper from its place of concealment in her bosom--shuddering, when she drew it out, as if the mere contact of it hurt her--placed it open on her little dressing-table, and fixed her eyes eagerly on the lines which the note contained.
plural of “character” — an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading The characters were clear now--vividly clear, and, as she fancied, unnaturally large and near to view.
a young person of either sex
From this reading THE CHILD.
rid of obstructions
From this reading The characters were clear now--vividly clear, and, as she fancied, unnaturally large and near to view.
concealmentnounUS /kənˈsiːlmənt/
the condition of being concealed or hidden
From this reading The instant Sarah Leeson had turned the key of her bedroom door, she took the sheet of note-paper from its place of concealment in her bosom--shuddering, when she drew it out, as if the mere contact of it hurt her--placed it open on her little dressing-table, and fixed her eyes eagerly on the lines which the note contained.
contactnounUS /ˈkɑːntækt/
close interaction
From this reading The instant Sarah Leeson had turned the key of her bedroom door, she took the sheet of note-paper from its place of concealment in her bosom--shuddering, when she drew it out, as if the mere contact of it hurt her--placed it open on her little dressing-table, and fixed her eyes eagerly on the lines which the note contained.
gotten under control
From this reading The instant Sarah Leeson had turned the key of her bedroom door, she took the sheet of note-paper from its place of concealment in her bosom--shuddering, when she drew it out, as if the mere contact of it hurt her--placed it open on her little dressing-table, and fixed her eyes eagerly on the lines which the note contained.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading The instant Sarah Leeson had turned the key of her bedroom door, she took the sheet of note-paper from its place of concealment in her bosom--shuddering, when she drew it out, as if the mere contact of it hurt her--placed it open on her little dressing-table, and fixed her eyes eagerly on the lines which the note contained.
dressing-table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The instant Sarah Leeson had turned the key of her bedroom door, she took the sheet of note-paper from its place of concealment in her bosom--shuddering, when she drew it out, as if the mere contact of it hurt her--placed it open on her little dressing-table, and fixed her eyes eagerly on the lines which the note contained.
United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)
From this reading The instant Sarah Leeson had turned the key of her bedroom door, she took the sheet of note-paper from its place of concealment in her bosom--shuddering, when she drew it out, as if the mere contact of it hurt her--placed it open on her little dressing-table, and fixed her eyes eagerly on the lines which the note contained.
with eagerness; in an eager manner
From this reading The instant Sarah Leeson had turned the key of her bedroom door, she took the sheet of note-paper from its place of concealment in her bosom--shuddering, when she drew it out, as if the mere contact of it hurt her--placed it open on her little dressing-table, and fixed her eyes eagerly on the lines which the note contained.
opinion or judgment
From this reading The instant Sarah Leeson had turned the key of her bedroom door, she took the sheet of note-paper from its place of concealment in her bosom--shuddering, when she drew it out, as if the mere contact of it hurt her--placed it open on her little dressing-table, and fixed her eyes eagerly on the lines which the note contained.
formed or conceived by the imagination
From this reading The characters were clear now--vividly clear, and, as she fancied, unnaturally large and near to view.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading She pressed her hands over her eyes, for a few minutes, and then looked at the writing again.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading At first they swam and mingled together before her.
(of a number) having a fixed and unchanging value
From this reading The instant Sarah Leeson had turned the key of her bedroom door, she took the sheet of note-paper from its place of concealment in her bosom--shuddering, when she drew it out, as if the mere contact of it hurt her--placed it open on her little dressing-table, and fixed her eyes eagerly on the lines which the note contained.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading She pressed her hands over her eyes, for a few minutes, and then looked at the writing again.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The instant Sarah Leeson had turned the key of her bedroom door, she took the sheet of note-paper from its place of concealment in her bosom--shuddering, when she drew it out, as if the mere contact of it hurt her--placed it open on her little dressing-table, and fixed her eyes eagerly on the lines which the note contained.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The instant Sarah Leeson had turned the key of her bedroom door, she took the sheet of note-paper from its place of concealment in her bosom--shuddering, when she drew it out, as if the mere contact of it hurt her--placed it open on her little dressing-table, and fixed her eyes eagerly on the lines which the note contained.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading She pressed her hands over her eyes, for a few minutes, and then looked at the writing again.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The instant Sarah Leeson had turned the key of her bedroom door, she took the sheet of note-paper from its place of concealment in her bosom--shuddering, when she drew it out, as if the mere contact of it hurt her--placed it open on her little dressing-table, and fixed her eyes eagerly on the lines which the note contained.
be the source of pain
From this reading The instant Sarah Leeson had turned the key of her bedroom door, she took the sheet of note-paper from its place of concealment in her bosom--shuddering, when she drew it out, as if the mere contact of it hurt her--placed it open on her little dressing-table, and fixed her eyes eagerly on the lines which the note contained.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The instant Sarah Leeson had turned the key of her bedroom door, she took the sheet of note-paper from its place of concealment in her bosom--shuddering, when she drew it out, as if the mere contact of it hurt her--placed it open on her little dressing-table, and fixed her eyes eagerly on the lines which the note contained.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The instant Sarah Leeson had turned the key of her bedroom door, she took the sheet of note-paper from its place of concealment in her bosom--shuddering, when she drew it out, as if the mere contact of it hurt her--placed it open on her little dressing-table, and fixed her eyes eagerly on the lines which the note contained.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading The instant Sarah Leeson had turned the key of her bedroom door, she took the sheet of note-paper from its place of concealment in her bosom--shuddering, when she drew it out, as if the mere contact of it hurt her--placed it open on her little dressing-table, and fixed her eyes eagerly on the lines which the note contained.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The instant Sarah Leeson had turned the key of her bedroom door, she took the sheet of note-paper from its place of concealment in her bosom--shuddering, when she drew it out, as if the mere contact of it hurt her--placed it open on her little dressing-table, and fixed her eyes eagerly on the lines which the note contained.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The instant Sarah Leeson had turned the key of her bedroom door, she took the sheet of note-paper from its place of concealment in her bosom--shuddering, when she drew it out, as if the mere contact of it hurt her--placed it open on her little dressing-table, and fixed her eyes eagerly on the lines which the note contained.
metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated
From this reading The instant Sarah Leeson had turned the key of her bedroom door, she took the sheet of note-paper from its place of concealment in her bosom--shuddering, when she drew it out, as if the mere contact of it hurt her--placed it open on her little dressing-table, and fixed her eyes eagerly on the lines which the note contained.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The characters were clear now--vividly clear, and, as she fancied, unnaturally large and near to view.
Leeson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The instant Sarah Leeson had turned the key of her bedroom door, she took the sheet of note-paper from its place of concealment in her bosom--shuddering, when she drew it out, as if the mere contact of it hurt her--placed it open on her little dressing-table, and fixed her eyes eagerly on the lines which the note contained.
plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading The instant Sarah Leeson had turned the key of her bedroom door, she took the sheet of note-paper from its place of concealment in her bosom--shuddering, when she drew it out, as if the mere contact of it hurt her--placed it open on her little dressing-table, and fixed her eyes eagerly on the lines which the note contained.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The instant Sarah Leeson had turned the key of her bedroom door, she took the sheet of note-paper from its place of concealment in her bosom--shuddering, when she drew it out, as if the mere contact of it hurt her--placed it open on her little dressing-table, and fixed her eyes eagerly on the lines which the note contained.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading She pressed her hands over her eyes, for a few minutes, and then looked at the writing again.
being nothing more than specified
From this reading The instant Sarah Leeson had turned the key of her bedroom door, she took the sheet of note-paper from its place of concealment in her bosom--shuddering, when she drew it out, as if the mere contact of it hurt her--placed it open on her little dressing-table, and fixed her eyes eagerly on the lines which the note contained.
past form of “mingle” — to bring or combine together or with something else
From this reading At first they swam and mingled together before her.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading She pressed her hands over her eyes, for a few minutes, and then looked at the writing again.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading The characters were clear now--vividly clear, and, as she fancied, unnaturally large and near to view.
a brief written record
From this reading The instant Sarah Leeson had turned the key of her bedroom door, she took the sheet of note-paper from its place of concealment in her bosom--shuddering, when she drew it out, as if the mere contact of it hurt her--placed it open on her little dressing-table, and fixed her eyes eagerly on the lines which the note contained.
note-paper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The instant Sarah Leeson had turned the key of her bedroom door, she took the sheet of note-paper from its place of concealment in her bosom--shuddering, when she drew it out, as if the mere contact of it hurt her--placed it open on her little dressing-table, and fixed her eyes eagerly on the lines which the note contained.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The characters were clear now--vividly clear, and, as she fancied, unnaturally large and near to view.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The instant Sarah Leeson had turned the key of her bedroom door, she took the sheet of note-paper from its place of concealment in her bosom--shuddering, when she drew it out, as if the mere contact of it hurt her--placed it open on her little dressing-table, and fixed her eyes eagerly on the lines which the note contained.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The instant Sarah Leeson had turned the key of her bedroom door, she took the sheet of note-paper from its place of concealment in her bosom--shuddering, when she drew it out, as if the mere contact of it hurt her--placed it open on her little dressing-table, and fixed her eyes eagerly on the lines which the note contained.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading The instant Sarah Leeson had turned the key of her bedroom door, she took the sheet of note-paper from its place of concealment in her bosom--shuddering, when she drew it out, as if the mere contact of it hurt her--placed it open on her little dressing-table, and fixed her eyes eagerly on the lines which the note contained.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The instant Sarah Leeson had turned the key of her bedroom door, she took the sheet of note-paper from its place of concealment in her bosom--shuddering, when she drew it out, as if the mere contact of it hurt her--placed it open on her little dressing-table, and fixed her eyes eagerly on the lines which the note contained.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading She pressed her hands over her eyes, for a few minutes, and then looked at the writing again.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading The instant Sarah Leeson had turned the key of her bedroom door, she took the sheet of note-paper from its place of concealment in her bosom--shuddering, when she drew it out, as if the mere contact of it hurt her--placed it open on her little dressing-table, and fixed her eyes eagerly on the lines which the note contained.
situated in a particular spot or position
From this reading The instant Sarah Leeson had turned the key of her bedroom door, she took the sheet of note-paper from its place of concealment in her bosom--shuddering, when she drew it out, as if the mere contact of it hurt her--placed it open on her little dressing-table, and fixed her eyes eagerly on the lines which the note contained.
compacted by ironing
From this reading She pressed her hands over her eyes, for a few minutes, and then looked at the writing again.
SarahnounUS /ˈserə/
(Old Testament) the wife of Abraham and mother of Isaac
From this reading The instant Sarah Leeson had turned the key of her bedroom door, she took the sheet of note-paper from its place of concealment in her bosom--shuddering, when she drew it out, as if the mere contact of it hurt her--placed it open on her little dressing-table, and fixed her eyes eagerly on the lines which the note contained.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The instant Sarah Leeson had turned the key of her bedroom door, she took the sheet of note-paper from its place of concealment in her bosom--shuddering, when she drew it out, as if the mere contact of it hurt her--placed it open on her little dressing-table, and fixed her eyes eagerly on the lines which the note contained.
any broad thin expanse or surface
From this reading The instant Sarah Leeson had turned the key of her bedroom door, she took the sheet of note-paper from its place of concealment in her bosom--shuddering, when she drew it out, as if the mere contact of it hurt her--placed it open on her little dressing-table, and fixed her eyes eagerly on the lines which the note contained.
shudderingadjectiveUS /ˈʃʌdərɪŋ/
shaking convulsively or violently
From this reading The instant Sarah Leeson had turned the key of her bedroom door, she took the sheet of note-paper from its place of concealment in her bosom--shuddering, when she drew it out, as if the mere contact of it hurt her--placed it open on her little dressing-table, and fixed her eyes eagerly on the lines which the note contained.
swamverbUS /swæm/
inflected form of “swim” — travel through water
From this reading At first they swam and mingled together before her.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE CHILD.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading She pressed her hands over her eyes, for a few minutes, and then looked at the writing again.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading At first they swam and mingled together before her.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The characters were clear now--vividly clear, and, as she fancied, unnaturally large and near to view.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading At first they swam and mingled together before her.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading The instant Sarah Leeson had turned the key of her bedroom door, she took the sheet of note-paper from its place of concealment in her bosom--shuddering, when she drew it out, as if the mere contact of it hurt her--placed it open on her little dressing-table, and fixed her eyes eagerly on the lines which the note contained.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading The instant Sarah Leeson had turned the key of her bedroom door, she took the sheet of note-paper from its place of concealment in her bosom--shuddering, when she drew it out, as if the mere contact of it hurt her--placed it open on her little dressing-table, and fixed her eyes eagerly on the lines which the note contained.
unnaturallyadverbUS /ənˈnætʃərəli/
in an unnatural way
From this reading The characters were clear now--vividly clear, and, as she fancied, unnaturally large and near to view.
a way of regarding situations or topics etc.
From this reading The characters were clear now--vividly clear, and, as she fancied, unnaturally large and near to view.
vividlyadverbUS /ˈvɪvədli/
in a vivid manner
From this reading The characters were clear now--vividly clear, and, as she fancied, unnaturally large and near to view.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The characters were clear now--vividly clear, and, as she fancied, unnaturally large and near to view.
at the time that
From this reading The instant Sarah Leeson had turned the key of her bedroom door, she took the sheet of note-paper from its place of concealment in her bosom--shuddering, when she drew it out, as if the mere contact of it hurt her--placed it open on her little dressing-table, and fixed her eyes eagerly on the lines which the note contained.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The instant Sarah Leeson had turned the key of her bedroom door, she took the sheet of note-paper from its place of concealment in her bosom--shuddering, when she drew it out, as if the mere contact of it hurt her--placed it open on her little dressing-table, and fixed her eyes eagerly on the lines which the note contained.
the act of creating written works
From this reading She pressed her hands over her eyes, for a few minutes, and then looked at the writing again.
