used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Matilda Good became again the old friend who had known her since she was a young woman, and they called each other 'Tilda' and 'Marty' instead of Matilda and Martha.
anew
From this reading Matilda Good became again the old friend who had known her since she was a young woman, and they called each other 'Tilda' and 'Marty' instead of Matilda and Martha.
(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 And all my habit of sullen resistance to my mother melted when I saw her struggling for breath on her tumbled pillow and realised that she might be near the end of all her hates and drudgeries.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "Now when the fever came upon her she changed suddenly from something white and hard and unapproachable to something flushed and pitiful.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading And all my habit of sullen resistance to my mother melted when I saw her struggling for breath on her tumbled pillow and realised that she might be near the end of all her hates and drudgeries.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading Matilda Good became again the old friend who had known her since she was a young woman, and they called each other 'Tilda' and 'Marty' instead of Matilda and Martha.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading Matilda for all her varicose veins was up and down stairs fifty times a day; and there was much sending out for expensive things, the more expensive the better, that Matilda thought my mother might 'fancy.'
the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing
From this reading And all my habit of sullen resistance to my mother melted when I saw her struggling for breath on her tumbled pillow and realised that she might be near the end of all her hates and drudgeries.
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading Her face grew smaller and younger looking, her eyes bright, and something came into them that reminded me of Fanny when Fanny was distressed.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading Matilda Good became again the old friend who had known her since she was a young woman, and they called each other 'Tilda' and 'Marty' instead of Matilda and Martha.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading "Now when the fever came upon her she changed suddenly from something white and hard and unapproachable to something flushed and pitiful.
made or become different in nature or form
From this reading "Now when the fever came upon her she changed suddenly from something white and hard and unapproachable to something flushed and pitiful.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Matilda for all her varicose veins was up and down stairs fifty times a day; and there was much sending out for expensive things, the more expensive the better, that Matilda thought my mother might 'fancy.'
distressedadjectiveUS /dɪˈstrest/
facing or experiencing financial trouble or difficulty
From this reading Her face grew smaller and younger looking, her eyes bright, and something came into them that reminded me of Fanny when Fanny was distressed.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Matilda for all her varicose veins was up and down stairs fifty times a day; and there was much sending out for expensive things, the more expensive the better, that Matilda thought my mother might 'fancy.'
drudgeries
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And all my habit of sullen resistance to my mother melted when I saw her struggling for breath on her tumbled pillow and realised that she might be near the end of all her hates and drudgeries.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Matilda Good became again the old friend who had known her since she was a young woman, and they called each other 'Tilda' and 'Marty' instead of Matilda and Martha.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading And all my habit of sullen resistance to my mother melted when I saw her struggling for breath on her tumbled pillow and realised that she might be near the end of all her hates and drudgeries.
expensiveadjectiveUS /ɪkˈspensɪv/
high in price or charging high prices
From this reading Matilda for all her varicose veins was up and down stairs fifty times a day; and there was much sending out for expensive things, the more expensive the better, that Matilda thought my mother might 'fancy.'
opinion or judgment
From this reading Her face grew smaller and younger looking, her eyes bright, and something came into them that reminded me of Fanny when Fanny was distressed.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Her face grew smaller and younger looking, her eyes bright, and something came into them that reminded me of Fanny when Fanny was distressed.
something many people believe that is false
From this reading Matilda for all her varicose veins was up and down stairs fifty times a day; and there was much sending out for expensive things, the more expensive the better, that Matilda thought my mother might 'fancy.'
FannynounUS /ˈfæni/
the fleshy part of the human body that you sit on
From this reading Her face grew smaller and younger looking, her eyes bright, and something came into them that reminded me of Fanny when Fanny was distressed.
a rise in the temperature of the body; frequently a symptom of infection
From this reading "Now when the fever came upon her she changed suddenly from something white and hard and unapproachable to something flushed and pitiful.
the cardinal number that is the product of ten and five
From this reading Matilda for all her varicose veins was up and down stairs fifty times a day; and there was much sending out for expensive things, the more expensive the better, that Matilda thought my mother might 'fancy.'
having the pinkish flush of health
From this reading "Now when the fever came upon her she changed suddenly from something white and hard and unapproachable to something flushed and pitiful.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading And all my habit of sullen resistance to my mother melted when I saw her struggling for breath on her tumbled pillow and realised that she might be near the end of all her hates and drudgeries.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading Matilda Good became again the old friend who had known her since she was a young woman, and they called each other 'Tilda' and 'Marty' instead of Matilda and Martha.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading "Now when the fever came upon her she changed suddenly from something white and hard and unapproachable to something flushed and pitiful.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading Matilda Good became again the old friend who had known her since she was a young woman, and they called each other 'Tilda' and 'Marty' instead of Matilda and Martha.
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading Her face grew smaller and younger looking, her eyes bright, and something came into them that reminded me of Fanny when Fanny was distressed.
an established custom
From this reading And all my habit of sullen resistance to my mother melted when I saw her struggling for breath on her tumbled pillow and realised that she might be near the end of all her hates and drudgeries.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Matilda Good became again the old friend who had known her since she was a young woman, and they called each other 'Tilda' and 'Marty' instead of Matilda and Martha.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading "Now when the fever came upon her she changed suddenly from something white and hard and unapproachable to something flushed and pitiful.
hatesnounUS /heɪts/
plural of “hate” — the emotion of intense dislike; a feeling of dislike so strong that it demands action
From this reading And all my habit of sullen resistance to my mother melted when I saw her struggling for breath on her tumbled pillow and realised that she might be near the end of all her hates and drudgeries.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading "Now when the fever came upon her she changed suddenly from something white and hard and unapproachable to something flushed and pitiful.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading And all my habit of sullen resistance to my mother melted when I saw her struggling for breath on her tumbled pillow and realised that she might be near the end of all her hates and drudgeries.
in place of, or as an alternative to
From this reading Matilda Good became again the old friend who had known her since she was a young woman, and they called each other 'Tilda' and 'Marty' instead of Matilda and Martha.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Her face grew smaller and younger looking, her eyes bright, and something came into them that reminded me of Fanny when Fanny was distressed.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading Matilda Good became again the old friend who had known her since she was a young woman, and they called each other 'Tilda' and 'Marty' instead of Matilda and Martha.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading Her face grew smaller and younger looking, her eyes bright, and something came into them that reminded me of Fanny when Fanny was distressed.
Martha
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Matilda Good became again the old friend who had known her since she was a young woman, and they called each other 'Tilda' and 'Marty' instead of Matilda and Martha.
Marty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Matilda Good became again the old friend who had known her since she was a young woman, and they called each other 'Tilda' and 'Marty' instead of Matilda and Martha.
Matilda
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Matilda Good became again the old friend who had known her since she was a young woman, and they called each other 'Tilda' and 'Marty' instead of Matilda and Martha.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Her face grew smaller and younger looking, her eyes bright, and something came into them that reminded me of Fanny when Fanny was distressed.
meltedadjectiveUS /ˈmeltəd/
changed from a solid to a liquid state
From this reading And all my habit of sullen resistance to my mother melted when I saw her struggling for breath on her tumbled pillow and realised that she might be near the end of all her hates and drudgeries.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading And all my habit of sullen resistance to my mother melted when I saw her struggling for breath on her tumbled pillow and realised that she might be near the end of all her hates and drudgeries.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Matilda for all her varicose veins was up and down stairs fifty times a day; and there was much sending out for expensive things, the more expensive the better, that Matilda thought my mother might 'fancy.'
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading And all my habit of sullen resistance to my mother melted when I saw her struggling for breath on her tumbled pillow and realised that she might be near the end of all her hates and drudgeries.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Matilda for all her varicose veins was up and down stairs fifty times a day; and there was much sending out for expensive things, the more expensive the better, that Matilda thought my mother might 'fancy.'
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading And all my habit of sullen resistance to my mother melted when I saw her struggling for breath on her tumbled pillow and realised that she might be near the end of all her hates and drudgeries.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading And all my habit of sullen resistance to my mother melted when I saw her struggling for breath on her tumbled pillow and realised that she might be near the end of all her hates and drudgeries.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading "Now when the fever came upon her she changed suddenly from something white and hard and unapproachable to something flushed and pitiful.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Her face grew smaller and younger looking, her eyes bright, and something came into them that reminded me of Fanny when Fanny was distressed.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Matilda Good became again the old friend who had known her since she was a young woman, and they called each other 'Tilda' and 'Marty' instead of Matilda and Martha.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading And all my habit of sullen resistance to my mother melted when I saw her struggling for breath on her tumbled pillow and realised that she might be near the end of all her hates and drudgeries.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Matilda Good became again the old friend who had known her since she was a young woman, and they called each other 'Tilda' and 'Marty' instead of Matilda and Martha.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Matilda for all her varicose veins was up and down stairs fifty times a day; and there was much sending out for expensive things, the more expensive the better, that Matilda thought my mother might 'fancy.'
pillownounUS /ˈpɪloʊ/
a cushion to support the head of a sleeping person
From this reading And all my habit of sullen resistance to my mother melted when I saw her struggling for breath on her tumbled pillow and realised that she might be near the end of all her hates and drudgeries.
pitifuladjectiveUS /ˈpɪtəfəl/
inspiring mixed contempt and pity
From this reading "Now when the fever came upon her she changed suddenly from something white and hard and unapproachable to something flushed and pitiful.
realisedadjectiveUS /ˈriːəlaɪzd/
successfully completed or brought to an end
From this reading And all my habit of sullen resistance to my mother melted when I saw her struggling for breath on her tumbled pillow and realised that she might be near the end of all her hates and drudgeries.
past form of “remind” — put in the mind of someone
From this reading Her face grew smaller and younger looking, her eyes bright, and something came into them that reminded me of Fanny when Fanny was distressed.
resistancenounUS /rɪˈzɪstəns/
the action of opposing something that you disapprove or disagree with
From this reading And all my habit of sullen resistance to my mother melted when I saw her struggling for breath on her tumbled pillow and realised that she might be near the end of all her hates and drudgeries.
cut with a saw
From this reading And all my habit of sullen resistance to my mother melted when I saw her struggling for breath on her tumbled pillow and realised that she might be near the end of all her hates and drudgeries.
the act of causing something to go (especially messages)
From this reading Matilda for all her varicose veins was up and down stairs fifty times a day; and there was much sending out for expensive things, the more expensive the better, that Matilda thought my mother might 'fancy.'
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Now when the fever came upon her she changed suddenly from something white and hard and unapproachable to something flushed and pitiful.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Matilda Good became again the old friend who had known her since she was a young woman, and they called each other 'Tilda' and 'Marty' instead of Matilda and Martha.
small or little relative to something else
From this reading Her face grew smaller and younger looking, her eyes bright, and something came into them that reminded me of Fanny when Fanny was distressed.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading "Now when the fever came upon her she changed suddenly from something white and hard and unapproachable to something flushed and pitiful.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading Matilda for all her varicose veins was up and down stairs fifty times a day; and there was much sending out for expensive things, the more expensive the better, that Matilda thought my mother might 'fancy.'
engaged in a struggle to overcome especially poverty or obscurity
From this reading And all my habit of sullen resistance to my mother melted when I saw her struggling for breath on her tumbled pillow and realised that she might be near the end of all her hates and drudgeries.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading "Now when the fever came upon her she changed suddenly from something white and hard and unapproachable to something flushed and pitiful.
sullenadjectiveUS /ˈsʌlən/
showing a brooding ill humor
From this reading And all my habit of sullen resistance to my mother melted when I saw her struggling for breath on her tumbled pillow and realised that she might be near the end of all her hates and drudgeries.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Her face grew smaller and younger looking, her eyes bright, and something came into them that reminded me of Fanny when Fanny was distressed.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "Now when the fever came upon her she changed suddenly from something white and hard and unapproachable to something flushed and pitiful.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Her face grew smaller and younger looking, her eyes bright, and something came into them that reminded me of Fanny when Fanny was distressed.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Matilda for all her varicose veins was up and down stairs fifty times a day; and there was much sending out for expensive things, the more expensive the better, that Matilda thought my mother might 'fancy.'
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Matilda Good became again the old friend who had known her since she was a young woman, and they called each other 'Tilda' and 'Marty' instead of Matilda and Martha.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading Matilda for all her varicose veins was up and down stairs fifty times a day; and there was much sending out for expensive things, the more expensive the better, that Matilda thought my mother might 'fancy.'
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Matilda for all her varicose veins was up and down stairs fifty times a day; and there was much sending out for expensive things, the more expensive the better, that Matilda thought my mother might 'fancy.'
Tilda
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Matilda Good became again the old friend who had known her since she was a young woman, and they called each other 'Tilda' and 'Marty' instead of Matilda and Martha.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading Matilda for all her varicose veins was up and down stairs fifty times a day; and there was much sending out for expensive things, the more expensive the better, that Matilda thought my mother might 'fancy.'
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "Now when the fever came upon her she changed suddenly from something white and hard and unapproachable to something flushed and pitiful.
tumbledverbUS /ˈtʌmbəld/
past form of “tumble” — fall down, as if collapsing
From this reading And all my habit of sullen resistance to my mother melted when I saw her struggling for breath on her tumbled pillow and realised that she might be near the end of all her hates and drudgeries.
unapproachableadjectiveUS /ˌʌnəˈproʊtʃəbəl/
discouraging intimacies; reserved
From this reading "Now when the fever came upon her she changed suddenly from something white and hard and unapproachable to something flushed and pitiful.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Matilda for all her varicose veins was up and down stairs fifty times a day; and there was much sending out for expensive things, the more expensive the better, that Matilda thought my mother might 'fancy.'
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading "Now when the fever came upon her she changed suddenly from something white and hard and unapproachable to something flushed and pitiful.
varicoseadjective
abnormally swollen or knotty
From this reading Matilda for all her varicose veins was up and down stairs fifty times a day; and there was much sending out for expensive things, the more expensive the better, that Matilda thought my mother might 'fancy.'
veinsnounUS /veɪnz/
plural of “vein” — a blood vessel that carries blood from the capillaries toward the heart
From this reading Matilda for all her varicose veins was up and down stairs fifty times a day; and there was much sending out for expensive things, the more expensive the better, that Matilda thought my mother might 'fancy.'
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Her face grew smaller and younger looking, her eyes bright, and something came into them that reminded me of Fanny when Fanny was distressed.
at the time that
From this reading "Now when the fever came upon her she changed suddenly from something white and hard and unapproachable to something flushed and pitiful.
a Caucasian
From this reading "Now when the fever came upon her she changed suddenly from something white and hard and unapproachable to something flushed and pitiful.
which person or people
From this reading Matilda Good became again the old friend who had known her since she was a young woman, and they called each other 'Tilda' and 'Marty' instead of Matilda and Martha.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Matilda Good became again the old friend who had known her since she was a young woman, and they called each other 'Tilda' and 'Marty' instead of Matilda and Martha.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Matilda Good became again the old friend who had known her since she was a young woman, and they called each other 'Tilda' and 'Marty' instead of Matilda and Martha.
used of the younger of two persons of the same name especially used to distinguish a son from his father
From this reading Her face grew smaller and younger looking, her eyes bright, and something came into them that reminded me of Fanny when Fanny was distressed.
