used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The brilliant sunlight of a sparkling winter morning was pouring into the room.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading She smiled at the thought, in spite of a brooding, indefinable trouble that had burdened her sleep, when, with wide eyes, she quickly sensed the lavishness of the room and saw the invincibly trig Heloise moving about.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Half-awake and the brightness of the room filtering through her still-closed eyelids, she was obsessed for an instant with the fear that, over-sleeping, she was late for the exercises attending the beginning of a day at Miss Mayhew's school.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Half-awake and the brightness of the room filtering through her still-closed eyelids, she was obsessed for an instant with the fear that, over-sleeping, she was late for the exercises attending the beginning of a day at Miss Mayhew's school.
arousedadjectiveUS /ərˈaʊzd/
aroused to action
From this reading Heloise's intentional noisiness in rearranging the toilet articles on the dressing table aroused Louise.
plural of “article” — nonfictional prose forming an independent part of a publication
From this reading Heloise's intentional noisiness in rearranging the toilet articles on the dressing table aroused Louise.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Half-awake and the brightness of the room filtering through her still-closed eyelids, she was obsessed for an instant with the fear that, over-sleeping, she was late for the exercises attending the beginning of a day at Miss Mayhew's school.
attendingnounUS /əˈtendɪŋ/
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading Half-awake and the brightness of the room filtering through her still-closed eyelids, she was obsessed for an instant with the fear that, over-sleeping, she was late for the exercises attending the beginning of a day at Miss Mayhew's school.
awakeadjectiveUS /əˈweɪk/
not in a state of sleep; completely conscious
From this reading "Mademoiselle is awake at last?" said Heloise in French, a trace of irritation in her tone.
the event consisting of the start of something
From this reading Half-awake and the brightness of the room filtering through her still-closed eyelids, she was obsessed for an instant with the fear that, over-sleeping, she was late for the exercises attending the beginning of a day at Miss Mayhew's school.
brightnessnounUS /ˈbraɪtnəs/
the location of a visual perception along a continuum from black to white
From this reading Half-awake and the brightness of the room filtering through her still-closed eyelids, she was obsessed for an instant with the fear that, over-sleeping, she was late for the exercises attending the beginning of a day at Miss Mayhew's school.
of surpassing excellence
From this reading The brilliant sunlight of a sparkling winter morning was pouring into the room.
broodingnounUS /ˈbruːdɪŋ/
sitting on eggs so as to hatch them by the warmth of the body
From this reading She smiled at the thought, in spite of a brooding, indefinable trouble that had burdened her sleep, when, with wide eyes, she quickly sensed the lavishness of the room and saw the invincibly trig Heloise moving about.
burdenedadjectiveUS /ˈbɜːrdənd/
bearing a heavy burden of work or difficulties or responsibilities
From this reading She smiled at the thought, in spite of a brooding, indefinable trouble that had burdened her sleep, when, with wide eyes, she quickly sensed the lavishness of the room and saw the invincibly trig Heloise moving about.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Half-awake and the brightness of the room filtering through her still-closed eyelids, she was obsessed for an instant with the fear that, over-sleeping, she was late for the exercises attending the beginning of a day at Miss Mayhew's school.
dressingnounUS /ˈdresɪŋ/
savory dressings for salads; basically of two kinds: either the thin French or vinaigrette type or the creamy mayonnaise type
From this reading Heloise's intentional noisiness in rearranging the toilet articles on the dressing table aroused Louise.
exercisesnounUS /ˈeksərsaɪzəz/
plural of “exercise” — the activity of exerting your muscles in various ways to keep fit
From this reading Half-awake and the brightness of the room filtering through her still-closed eyelids, she was obsessed for an instant with the fear that, over-sleeping, she was late for the exercises attending the beginning of a day at Miss Mayhew's school.
eyelidsnounUS /ˈaɪlɪdz/
plural of “eyelid” — either of two folds of skin that can be moved to cover or open the eye
From this reading Half-awake and the brightness of the room filtering through her still-closed eyelids, she was obsessed for an instant with the fear that, over-sleeping, she was late for the exercises attending the beginning of a day at Miss Mayhew's school.
opinion or judgment
From this reading She smiled at the thought, in spite of a brooding, indefinable trouble that had burdened her sleep, when, with wide eyes, she quickly sensed the lavishness of the room and saw the invincibly trig Heloise moving about.
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading Half-awake and the brightness of the room filtering through her still-closed eyelids, she was obsessed for an instant with the fear that, over-sleeping, she was late for the exercises attending the beginning of a day at Miss Mayhew's school.
filteringverbUS /ˈfɪltərɪŋ/
-ing form of “filter” — remove by passing through a filter
From this reading Half-awake and the brightness of the room filtering through her still-closed eyelids, she was obsessed for an instant with the fear that, over-sleeping, she was late for the exercises attending the beginning of a day at Miss Mayhew's school.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Half-awake and the brightness of the room filtering through her still-closed eyelids, she was obsessed for an instant with the fear that, over-sleeping, she was late for the exercises attending the beginning of a day at Miss Mayhew's school.
the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France
From this reading "Mademoiselle is awake at last?" said Heloise in French, a trace of irritation in her tone.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She smiled at the thought, in spite of a brooding, indefinable trouble that had burdened her sleep, when, with wide eyes, she quickly sensed the lavishness of the room and saw the invincibly trig Heloise moving about.
Half-awake
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Half-awake and the brightness of the room filtering through her still-closed eyelids, she was obsessed for an instant with the fear that, over-sleeping, she was late for the exercises attending the beginning of a day at Miss Mayhew's school.
Heloisenoun
student and mistress and wife of Abelard (circa 1098-1164)
From this reading She smiled at the thought, in spite of a brooding, indefinable trouble that had burdened her sleep, when, with wide eyes, she quickly sensed the lavishness of the room and saw the invincibly trig Heloise moving about.
Heloise's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Heloise's intentional noisiness in rearranging the toilet articles on the dressing table aroused Louise.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Half-awake and the brightness of the room filtering through her still-closed eyelids, she was obsessed for an instant with the fear that, over-sleeping, she was late for the exercises attending the beginning of a day at Miss Mayhew's school.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Heloise's intentional noisiness in rearranging the toilet articles on the dressing table aroused Louise.
indefinableadjectiveUS /ˌɪndɪˈfaɪnəbəl/
not capable of being precisely or readily described; not easily put into words
From this reading She smiled at the thought, in spite of a brooding, indefinable trouble that had burdened her sleep, when, with wide eyes, she quickly sensed the lavishness of the room and saw the invincibly trig Heloise moving about.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading Half-awake and the brightness of the room filtering through her still-closed eyelids, she was obsessed for an instant with the fear that, over-sleeping, she was late for the exercises attending the beginning of a day at Miss Mayhew's school.
intentionaladjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtenʃənəl/
characterized by conscious design or purpose
From this reading Heloise's intentional noisiness in rearranging the toilet articles on the dressing table aroused Louise.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The brilliant sunlight of a sparkling winter morning was pouring into the room.
invinciblyadverb
in an invincible manner
From this reading She smiled at the thought, in spite of a brooding, indefinable trouble that had burdened her sleep, when, with wide eyes, she quickly sensed the lavishness of the room and saw the invincibly trig Heloise moving about.
irritationnounUS /ˌɪrɪˈteɪʃən/
the psychological state of being irritated or annoyed
From this reading "Mademoiselle is awake at last?" said Heloise in French, a trace of irritation in her tone.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Mademoiselle is awake at last?" said Heloise in French, a trace of irritation in her tone.
immediately past
From this reading "Mademoiselle is awake at last?" said Heloise in French, a trace of irritation in her tone.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading Half-awake and the brightness of the room filtering through her still-closed eyelids, she was obsessed for an instant with the fear that, over-sleeping, she was late for the exercises attending the beginning of a day at Miss Mayhew's school.
lavishnessnoun
the quality possessed by something that is excessively expensive
From this reading She smiled at the thought, in spite of a brooding, indefinable trouble that had burdened her sleep, when, with wide eyes, she quickly sensed the lavishness of the room and saw the invincibly trig Heloise moving about.
Louise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Heloise's intentional noisiness in rearranging the toilet articles on the dressing table aroused Louise.
small silvery drumfish often mistaken for white perch; found along coasts of United States from New York to Mexico
From this reading "Mademoiselle is awake at last?" said Heloise in French, a trace of irritation in her tone.
Mayhew's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Half-awake and the brightness of the room filtering through her still-closed eyelids, she was obsessed for an instant with the fear that, over-sleeping, she was late for the exercises attending the beginning of a day at Miss Mayhew's school.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading Half-awake and the brightness of the room filtering through her still-closed eyelids, she was obsessed for an instant with the fear that, over-sleeping, she was late for the exercises attending the beginning of a day at Miss Mayhew's school.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading The brilliant sunlight of a sparkling winter morning was pouring into the room.
in motion
From this reading She smiled at the thought, in spite of a brooding, indefinable trouble that had burdened her sleep, when, with wide eyes, she quickly sensed the lavishness of the room and saw the invincibly trig Heloise moving about.
noisinessnoun
the auditory effect characterized by loud and constant noise
From this reading Heloise's intentional noisiness in rearranging the toilet articles on the dressing table aroused Louise.
obsessedadjectiveUS /əbˈsest/
having or showing excessive or compulsive concern with something
From this reading Half-awake and the brightness of the room filtering through her still-closed eyelids, she was obsessed for an instant with the fear that, over-sleeping, she was late for the exercises attending the beginning of a day at Miss Mayhew's school.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The brilliant sunlight of a sparkling winter morning was pouring into the room.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Heloise's intentional noisiness in rearranging the toilet articles on the dressing table aroused Louise.
over-sleeping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Half-awake and the brightness of the room filtering through her still-closed eyelids, she was obsessed for an instant with the fear that, over-sleeping, she was late for the exercises attending the beginning of a day at Miss Mayhew's school.
pouringadjectiveUS /ˈpɔːrɪŋ/
flowing profusely
From this reading The brilliant sunlight of a sparkling winter morning was pouring into the room.
with speed
From this reading She smiled at the thought, in spite of a brooding, indefinable trouble that had burdened her sleep, when, with wide eyes, she quickly sensed the lavishness of the room and saw the invincibly trig Heloise moving about.
rearrangingverbUS /ˌriːərˈeɪndʒɪŋ/
-ing form of “rearrange” — put into a new order or arrangement
From this reading Heloise's intentional noisiness in rearranging the toilet articles on the dressing table aroused Louise.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading The brilliant sunlight of a sparkling winter morning was pouring into the room.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Mademoiselle is awake at last?" said Heloise in French, a trace of irritation in her tone.
cut with a saw
From this reading She smiled at the thought, in spite of a brooding, indefinable trouble that had burdened her sleep, when, with wide eyes, she quickly sensed the lavishness of the room and saw the invincibly trig Heloise moving about.
an educational institution
From this reading Half-awake and the brightness of the room filtering through her still-closed eyelids, she was obsessed for an instant with the fear that, over-sleeping, she was late for the exercises attending the beginning of a day at Miss Mayhew's school.
sensedadjectiveUS /senst/
detected by instinct or inference rather than by recognized perceptual cues
From this reading She smiled at the thought, in spite of a brooding, indefinable trouble that had burdened her sleep, when, with wide eyes, she quickly sensed the lavishness of the room and saw the invincibly trig Heloise moving about.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Half-awake and the brightness of the room filtering through her still-closed eyelids, she was obsessed for an instant with the fear that, over-sleeping, she was late for the exercises attending the beginning of a day at Miss Mayhew's school.
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading She smiled at the thought, in spite of a brooding, indefinable trouble that had burdened her sleep, when, with wide eyes, she quickly sensed the lavishness of the room and saw the invincibly trig Heloise moving about.
past form of “smile” — change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading She smiled at the thought, in spite of a brooding, indefinable trouble that had burdened her sleep, when, with wide eyes, she quickly sensed the lavishness of the room and saw the invincibly trig Heloise moving about.
sparklingadjectiveUS /ˈspɑːrklɪŋ/
shining with brilliant points of light like stars
From this reading The brilliant sunlight of a sparkling winter morning was pouring into the room.
feeling a need to see others suffer
From this reading She smiled at the thought, in spite of a brooding, indefinable trouble that had burdened her sleep, when, with wide eyes, she quickly sensed the lavishness of the room and saw the invincibly trig Heloise moving about.
still-closed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Half-awake and the brightness of the room filtering through her still-closed eyelids, she was obsessed for an instant with the fear that, over-sleeping, she was late for the exercises attending the beginning of a day at Miss Mayhew's school.
the rays of the sun
From this reading The brilliant sunlight of a sparkling winter morning was pouring into the room.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading Heloise's intentional noisiness in rearranging the toilet articles on the dressing table aroused Louise.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Half-awake and the brightness of the room filtering through her still-closed eyelids, she was obsessed for an instant with the fear that, over-sleeping, she was late for the exercises attending the beginning of a day at Miss Mayhew's school.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Heloise's intentional noisiness in rearranging the toilet articles on the dressing table aroused Louise.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading She smiled at the thought, in spite of a brooding, indefinable trouble that had burdened her sleep, when, with wide eyes, she quickly sensed the lavishness of the room and saw the invincibly trig Heloise moving about.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Half-awake and the brightness of the room filtering through her still-closed eyelids, she was obsessed for an instant with the fear that, over-sleeping, she was late for the exercises attending the beginning of a day at Miss Mayhew's school.
toiletnounUS /ˈtɔɪlət/
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading Heloise's intentional noisiness in rearranging the toilet articles on the dressing table aroused Louise.
the quality of a person's voice
From this reading "Mademoiselle is awake at last?" said Heloise in French, a trace of irritation in her tone.
a just detectable amount
From this reading "Mademoiselle is awake at last?" said Heloise in French, a trace of irritation in her tone.
trignounUS /trɪɡ/
the mathematics of triangles and trigonometric functions
From this reading She smiled at the thought, in spite of a brooding, indefinable trouble that had burdened her sleep, when, with wide eyes, she quickly sensed the lavishness of the room and saw the invincibly trig Heloise moving about.
a source of difficulty
From this reading She smiled at the thought, in spite of a brooding, indefinable trouble that had burdened her sleep, when, with wide eyes, she quickly sensed the lavishness of the room and saw the invincibly trig Heloise moving about.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The brilliant sunlight of a sparkling winter morning was pouring into the room.
at the time that
From this reading She smiled at the thought, in spite of a brooding, indefinable trouble that had burdened her sleep, when, with wide eyes, she quickly sensed the lavishness of the room and saw the invincibly trig Heloise moving about.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading She smiled at the thought, in spite of a brooding, indefinable trouble that had burdened her sleep, when, with wide eyes, she quickly sensed the lavishness of the room and saw the invincibly trig Heloise moving about.
the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading The brilliant sunlight of a sparkling winter morning was pouring into the room.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Half-awake and the brightness of the room filtering through her still-closed eyelids, she was obsessed for an instant with the fear that, over-sleeping, she was late for the exercises attending the beginning of a day at Miss Mayhew's school.
