Chapter II · Chapter 2

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading Up, up, up till you reached the very topmost room in a rickety building in ---- street, and there they were--a woman in neat but coarse raiment, seated by a flickering candle, stitching for the life, and with every effort for the life, stitching out the life.

the state of being absent

From this reading A few coals partially ignited, seemed to mock at the visions of warmth and comfort they inspired, and the simmering of the kettle that hung low over the coals, made the absence of a cheery board, and a happy group around it only the more painfully apparent.

a record or narrative description of past events

From this reading The sick man closed his eyes, as if to shut out the memory of those wasted fingers that were ever so zealously moving, and then looking wistfully at the murmuring kettle, he said, "Has not the child come yet, Mary?--perhaps she has enough for our scanty meal to-night, and yet my heart misgives me on her account--is it not very late for her to stay away?

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading Up, up, up till you reached the very topmost room in a rickety building in ---- street, and there they were--a woman in neat but coarse raiment, seated by a flickering candle, stitching for the life, and with every effort for the life, stitching out the life.

clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment

From this reading A few coals partially ignited, seemed to mock at the visions of warmth and comfort they inspired, and the simmering of the kettle that hung low over the coals, made the absence of a cheery board, and a happy group around it only the more painfully apparent.

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading The frosty breath of a December night came through the chinks in the roof, and around the windows, and left its bitter impress upon the sick and weary.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading Near her, on a lowly bed, lay her suffering husband, watching the wan fingers as they busily plied for him who would fain have spent his last strength for their rest.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading A few coals partially ignited, seemed to mock at the visions of warmth and comfort they inspired, and the simmering of the kettle that hung low over the coals, made the absence of a cheery board, and a happy group around it only the more painfully apparent.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading The sick man closed his eyes, as if to shut out the memory of those wasted fingers that were ever so zealously moving, and then looking wistfully at the murmuring kettle, he said, "Has not the child come yet, Mary?--perhaps she has enough for our scanty meal to-night, and yet my heart misgives me on her account--is it not very late for her to stay away?

a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep

From this reading Near her, on a lowly bed, lay her suffering husband, watching the wan fingers as they busily plied for him who would fain have spent his last strength for their rest.

marked by strong resentment or cynicism

From this reading The frosty breath of a December night came through the chinks in the roof, and around the windows, and left its bitter impress upon the sick and weary.

a committee having supervisory powers

From this reading A few coals partially ignited, seemed to mock at the visions of warmth and comfort they inspired, and the simmering of the kettle that hung low over the coals, made the absence of a cheery board, and a happy group around it only the more painfully apparent.

the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing

From this reading The frosty breath of a December night came through the chinks in the roof, and around the windows, and left its bitter impress upon the sick and weary.

a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place

From this reading Up, up, up till you reached the very topmost room in a rickety building in ---- street, and there they were--a woman in neat but coarse raiment, seated by a flickering candle, stitching for the life, and with every effort for the life, stitching out the life.

in a busy manner

From this reading Near her, on a lowly bed, lay her suffering husband, watching the wan fingers as they busily plied for him who would fain have spent his last strength for their rest.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Up, up, up till you reached the very topmost room in a rickety building in ---- street, and there they were--a woman in neat but coarse raiment, seated by a flickering candle, stitching for the life, and with every effort for the life, stitching out the life.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Up, up, up till you reached the very topmost room in a rickety building in ---- street, and there they were--a woman in neat but coarse raiment, seated by a flickering candle, stitching for the life, and with every effort for the life, stitching out the life.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading The frosty breath of a December night came through the chinks in the roof, and around the windows, and left its bitter impress upon the sick and weary.

stick of wax with a wick in the middle

From this reading Up, up, up till you reached the very topmost room in a rickety building in ---- street, and there they were--a woman in neat but coarse raiment, seated by a flickering candle, stitching for the life, and with every effort for the life, stitching out the life.

bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer

From this reading A few coals partially ignited, seemed to mock at the visions of warmth and comfort they inspired, and the simmering of the kettle that hung low over the coals, made the absence of a cheery board, and a happy group around it only the more painfully apparent.

a young person of either sex

From this reading The sick man closed his eyes, as if to shut out the memory of those wasted fingers that were ever so zealously moving, and then looking wistfully at the murmuring kettle, he said, "Has not the child come yet, Mary?--perhaps she has enough for our scanty meal to-night, and yet my heart misgives me on her account--is it not very late for her to stay away?

plural of “chink” — (ethnic slur) offensive term for a person of Chinese descent

From this reading The frosty breath of a December night came through the chinks in the roof, and around the windows, and left its bitter impress upon the sick and weary.

not open or affording passage or access

From this reading The sick man closed his eyes, as if to shut out the memory of those wasted fingers that were ever so zealously moving, and then looking wistfully at the murmuring kettle, he said, "Has not the child come yet, Mary?--perhaps she has enough for our scanty meal to-night, and yet my heart misgives me on her account--is it not very late for her to stay away?

plural of “coal” — fossil fuel consisting of carbonized vegetable matter deposited in the Carboniferous period

From this reading A few coals partially ignited, seemed to mock at the visions of warmth and comfort they inspired, and the simmering of the kettle that hung low over the coals, made the absence of a cheery board, and a happy group around it only the more painfully apparent.

of textures that are rough to the touch or substances consisting of relatively large particles

From this reading Up, up, up till you reached the very topmost room in a rickety building in ---- street, and there they were--a woman in neat but coarse raiment, seated by a flickering candle, stitching for the life, and with every effort for the life, stitching out the life.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading The sick man closed his eyes, as if to shut out the memory of those wasted fingers that were ever so zealously moving, and then looking wistfully at the murmuring kettle, he said, "Has not the child come yet, Mary?--perhaps she has enough for our scanty meal to-night, and yet my heart misgives me on her account--is it not very late for her to stay away?

a state of being relaxed and feeling no pain

From this reading A few coals partially ignited, seemed to mock at the visions of warmth and comfort they inspired, and the simmering of the kettle that hung low over the coals, made the absence of a cheery board, and a happy group around it only the more painfully apparent.

the last (12th) month of the year

From this reading The frosty breath of a December night came through the chinks in the roof, and around the windows, and left its bitter impress upon the sick and weary.

earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something

From this reading Up, up, up till you reached the very topmost room in a rickety building in ---- street, and there they were--a woman in neat but coarse raiment, seated by a flickering candle, stitching for the life, and with every effort for the life, stitching out the life.

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading The sick man closed his eyes, as if to shut out the memory of those wasted fingers that were ever so zealously moving, and then looking wistfully at the murmuring kettle, he said, "Has not the child come yet, Mary?--perhaps she has enough for our scanty meal to-night, and yet my heart misgives me on her account--is it not very late for her to stay away?

at any time

From this reading The sick man closed his eyes, as if to shut out the memory of those wasted fingers that were ever so zealously moving, and then looking wistfully at the murmuring kettle, he said, "Has not the child come yet, Mary?--perhaps she has enough for our scanty meal to-night, and yet my heart misgives me on her account--is it not very late for her to stay away?

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading Up, up, up till you reached the very topmost room in a rickety building in ---- street, and there they were--a woman in neat but coarse raiment, seated by a flickering candle, stitching for the life, and with every effort for the life, stitching out the life.

opinion or judgment

From this reading The sick man closed his eyes, as if to shut out the memory of those wasted fingers that were ever so zealously moving, and then looking wistfully at the murmuring kettle, he said, "Has not the child come yet, Mary?--perhaps she has enough for our scanty meal to-night, and yet my heart misgives me on her account--is it not very late for her to stay away?

having made preparations

From this reading Near her, on a lowly bed, lay her suffering husband, watching the wan fingers as they busily plied for him who would fain have spent his last strength for their rest.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading A few coals partially ignited, seemed to mock at the visions of warmth and comfort they inspired, and the simmering of the kettle that hung low over the coals, made the absence of a cheery board, and a happy group around it only the more painfully apparent.

plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)

From this reading Near her, on a lowly bed, lay her suffering husband, watching the wan fingers as they busily plied for him who would fain have spent his last strength for their rest.

shining unsteadily

From this reading Up, up, up till you reached the very topmost room in a rickety building in ---- street, and there they were--a woman in neat but coarse raiment, seated by a flickering candle, stitching for the life, and with every effort for the life, stitching out the life.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Up, up, up till you reached the very topmost room in a rickety building in ---- street, and there they were--a woman in neat but coarse raiment, seated by a flickering candle, stitching for the life, and with every effort for the life, stitching out the life.

devoid of warmth and cordiality; expressive of unfriendliness or disdain

From this reading The frosty breath of a December night came through the chinks in the roof, and around the windows, and left its bitter impress upon the sick and weary.

any number of entities (members) considered as a unit

From this reading A few coals partially ignited, seemed to mock at the visions of warmth and comfort they inspired, and the simmering of the kettle that hung low over the coals, made the absence of a cheery board, and a happy group around it only the more painfully apparent.

enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure

From this reading A few coals partially ignited, seemed to mock at the visions of warmth and comfort they inspired, and the simmering of the kettle that hung low over the coals, made the absence of a cheery board, and a happy group around it only the more painfully apparent.

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading The sick man closed his eyes, as if to shut out the memory of those wasted fingers that were ever so zealously moving, and then looking wistfully at the murmuring kettle, he said, "Has not the child come yet, Mary?--perhaps she has enough for our scanty meal to-night, and yet my heart misgives me on her account--is it not very late for her to stay away?

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Near her, on a lowly bed, lay her suffering husband, watching the wan fingers as they busily plied for him who would fain have spent his last strength for their rest.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The sick man closed his eyes, as if to shut out the memory of those wasted fingers that were ever so zealously moving, and then looking wistfully at the murmuring kettle, he said, "Has not the child come yet, Mary?--perhaps she has enough for our scanty meal to-night, and yet my heart misgives me on her account--is it not very late for her to stay away?

the locus of feelings and intuitions

From this reading The sick man closed his eyes, as if to shut out the memory of those wasted fingers that were ever so zealously moving, and then looking wistfully at the murmuring kettle, he said, "Has not the child come yet, Mary?--perhaps she has enough for our scanty meal to-night, and yet my heart misgives me on her account--is it not very late for her to stay away?

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading Near her, on a lowly bed, lay her suffering husband, watching the wan fingers as they busily plied for him who would fain have spent his last strength for their rest.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Near her, on a lowly bed, lay her suffering husband, watching the wan fingers as they busily plied for him who would fain have spent his last strength for their rest.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Near her, on a lowly bed, lay her suffering husband, watching the wan fingers as they busily plied for him who would fain have spent his last strength for their rest.

inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging

From this reading A few coals partially ignited, seemed to mock at the visions of warmth and comfort they inspired, and the simmering of the kettle that hung low over the coals, made the absence of a cheery board, and a happy group around it only the more painfully apparent.

a married man; a woman's partner in marriage

From this reading Near her, on a lowly bed, lay her suffering husband, watching the wan fingers as they busily plied for him who would fain have spent his last strength for their rest.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading The sick man closed his eyes, as if to shut out the memory of those wasted fingers that were ever so zealously moving, and then looking wistfully at the murmuring kettle, he said, "Has not the child come yet, Mary?--perhaps she has enough for our scanty meal to-night, and yet my heart misgives me on her account--is it not very late for her to stay away?

set afire

From this reading A few coals partially ignited, seemed to mock at the visions of warmth and comfort they inspired, and the simmering of the kettle that hung low over the coals, made the absence of a cheery board, and a happy group around it only the more painfully apparent.

have an emotional or cognitive impact upon

From this reading The frosty breath of a December night came through the chinks in the roof, and around the windows, and left its bitter impress upon the sick and weary.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading Up, up, up till you reached the very topmost room in a rickety building in ---- street, and there they were--a woman in neat but coarse raiment, seated by a flickering candle, stitching for the life, and with every effort for the life, stitching out the life.

being of such surpassing excellence as to suggest inspiration by the gods

From this reading A few coals partially ignited, seemed to mock at the visions of warmth and comfort they inspired, and the simmering of the kettle that hung low over the coals, made the absence of a cheery board, and a happy group around it only the more painfully apparent.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading The sick man closed his eyes, as if to shut out the memory of those wasted fingers that were ever so zealously moving, and then looking wistfully at the murmuring kettle, he said, "Has not the child come yet, Mary?--perhaps she has enough for our scanty meal to-night, and yet my heart misgives me on her account--is it not very late for her to stay away?

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading A few coals partially ignited, seemed to mock at the visions of warmth and comfort they inspired, and the simmering of the kettle that hung low over the coals, made the absence of a cheery board, and a happy group around it only the more painfully apparent.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading The frosty breath of a December night came through the chinks in the roof, and around the windows, and left its bitter impress upon the sick and weary.

a metal pot for stewing or boiling; usually has a lid

From this reading A few coals partially ignited, seemed to mock at the visions of warmth and comfort they inspired, and the simmering of the kettle that hung low over the coals, made the absence of a cheery board, and a happy group around it only the more painfully apparent.

immediately past

From this reading Near her, on a lowly bed, lay her suffering husband, watching the wan fingers as they busily plied for him who would fain have spent his last strength for their rest.

being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time

From this reading The sick man closed his eyes, as if to shut out the memory of those wasted fingers that were ever so zealously moving, and then looking wistfully at the murmuring kettle, he said, "Has not the child come yet, Mary?--perhaps she has enough for our scanty meal to-night, and yet my heart misgives me on her account--is it not very late for her to stay away?

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Near her, on a lowly bed, lay her suffering husband, watching the wan fingers as they busily plied for him who would fain have spent his last strength for their rest.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading The frosty breath of a December night came through the chinks in the roof, and around the windows, and left its bitter impress upon the sick and weary.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading Up, up, up till you reached the very topmost room in a rickety building in ---- street, and there they were--a woman in neat but coarse raiment, seated by a flickering candle, stitching for the life, and with every effort for the life, stitching out the life.

the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually

From this reading The sick man closed his eyes, as if to shut out the memory of those wasted fingers that were ever so zealously moving, and then looking wistfully at the murmuring kettle, he said, "Has not the child come yet, Mary?--perhaps she has enough for our scanty meal to-night, and yet my heart misgives me on her account--is it not very late for her to stay away?

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading A few coals partially ignited, seemed to mock at the visions of warmth and comfort they inspired, and the simmering of the kettle that hung low over the coals, made the absence of a cheery board, and a happy group around it only the more painfully apparent.

low or inferior in station or quality

From this reading Near her, on a lowly bed, lay her suffering husband, watching the wan fingers as they busily plied for him who would fain have spent his last strength for their rest.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading A few coals partially ignited, seemed to mock at the visions of warmth and comfort they inspired, and the simmering of the kettle that hung low over the coals, made the absence of a cheery board, and a happy group around it only the more painfully apparent.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading The sick man closed his eyes, as if to shut out the memory of those wasted fingers that were ever so zealously moving, and then looking wistfully at the murmuring kettle, he said, "Has not the child come yet, Mary?--perhaps she has enough for our scanty meal to-night, and yet my heart misgives me on her account--is it not very late for her to stay away?

the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics

From this reading The sick man closed his eyes, as if to shut out the memory of those wasted fingers that were ever so zealously moving, and then looking wistfully at the murmuring kettle, he said, "Has not the child come yet, Mary?--perhaps she has enough for our scanty meal to-night, and yet my heart misgives me on her account--is it not very late for her to stay away?

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading The sick man closed his eyes, as if to shut out the memory of those wasted fingers that were ever so zealously moving, and then looking wistfully at the murmuring kettle, he said, "Has not the child come yet, Mary?--perhaps she has enough for our scanty meal to-night, and yet my heart misgives me on her account--is it not very late for her to stay away?

the food served and eaten at one time

From this reading The sick man closed his eyes, as if to shut out the memory of those wasted fingers that were ever so zealously moving, and then looking wistfully at the murmuring kettle, he said, "Has not the child come yet, Mary?--perhaps she has enough for our scanty meal to-night, and yet my heart misgives me on her account--is it not very late for her to stay away?

The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.

From this reading The sick man closed his eyes, as if to shut out the memory of those wasted fingers that were ever so zealously moving, and then looking wistfully at the murmuring kettle, he said, "Has not the child come yet, Mary?--perhaps she has enough for our scanty meal to-night, and yet my heart misgives me on her account--is it not very late for her to stay away?

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The sick man closed his eyes, as if to shut out the memory of those wasted fingers that were ever so zealously moving, and then looking wistfully at the murmuring kettle, he said, "Has not the child come yet, Mary?--perhaps she has enough for our scanty meal to-night, and yet my heart misgives me on her account--is it not very late for her to stay away?

treat with contempt

From this reading A few coals partially ignited, seemed to mock at the visions of warmth and comfort they inspired, and the simmering of the kettle that hung low over the coals, made the absence of a cheery board, and a happy group around it only the more painfully apparent.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading A few coals partially ignited, seemed to mock at the visions of warmth and comfort they inspired, and the simmering of the kettle that hung low over the coals, made the absence of a cheery board, and a happy group around it only the more painfully apparent.

in motion

From this reading The sick man closed his eyes, as if to shut out the memory of those wasted fingers that were ever so zealously moving, and then looking wistfully at the murmuring kettle, he said, "Has not the child come yet, Mary?--perhaps she has enough for our scanty meal to-night, and yet my heart misgives me on her account--is it not very late for her to stay away?

a low continuous indistinct sound; often accompanied by movement of the lips without the production of articulate speech

From this reading The sick man closed his eyes, as if to shut out the memory of those wasted fingers that were ever so zealously moving, and then looking wistfully at the murmuring kettle, he said, "Has not the child come yet, Mary?--perhaps she has enough for our scanty meal to-night, and yet my heart misgives me on her account--is it not very late for her to stay away?

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading The sick man closed his eyes, as if to shut out the memory of those wasted fingers that were ever so zealously moving, and then looking wistfully at the murmuring kettle, he said, "Has not the child come yet, Mary?--perhaps she has enough for our scanty meal to-night, and yet my heart misgives me on her account--is it not very late for her to stay away?

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading Near her, on a lowly bed, lay her suffering husband, watching the wan fingers as they busily plied for him who would fain have spent his last strength for their rest.

clean or organized

From this reading Up, up, up till you reached the very topmost room in a rickety building in ---- street, and there they were--a woman in neat but coarse raiment, seated by a flickering candle, stitching for the life, and with every effort for the life, stitching out the life.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading The frosty breath of a December night came through the chinks in the roof, and around the windows, and left its bitter impress upon the sick and weary.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The sick man closed his eyes, as if to shut out the memory of those wasted fingers that were ever so zealously moving, and then looking wistfully at the murmuring kettle, he said, "Has not the child come yet, Mary?--perhaps she has enough for our scanty meal to-night, and yet my heart misgives me on her account--is it not very late for her to stay away?

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The frosty breath of a December night came through the chinks in the roof, and around the windows, and left its bitter impress upon the sick and weary.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Near her, on a lowly bed, lay her suffering husband, watching the wan fingers as they busily plied for him who would fain have spent his last strength for their rest.

and nothing more

From this reading A few coals partially ignited, seemed to mock at the visions of warmth and comfort they inspired, and the simmering of the kettle that hung low over the coals, made the absence of a cheery board, and a happy group around it only the more painfully apparent.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading The sick man closed his eyes, as if to shut out the memory of those wasted fingers that were ever so zealously moving, and then looking wistfully at the murmuring kettle, he said, "Has not the child come yet, Mary?--perhaps she has enough for our scanty meal to-night, and yet my heart misgives me on her account--is it not very late for her to stay away?

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Up, up, up till you reached the very topmost room in a rickety building in ---- street, and there they were--a woman in neat but coarse raiment, seated by a flickering candle, stitching for the life, and with every effort for the life, stitching out the life.

above and across; more than

From this reading A few coals partially ignited, seemed to mock at the visions of warmth and comfort they inspired, and the simmering of the kettle that hung low over the coals, made the absence of a cheery board, and a happy group around it only the more painfully apparent.

unpleasantly

From this reading A few coals partially ignited, seemed to mock at the visions of warmth and comfort they inspired, and the simmering of the kettle that hung low over the coals, made the absence of a cheery board, and a happy group around it only the more painfully apparent.

to some extent; in some degree; not wholly

From this reading A few coals partially ignited, seemed to mock at the visions of warmth and comfort they inspired, and the simmering of the kettle that hung low over the coals, made the absence of a cheery board, and a happy group around it only the more painfully apparent.

by chance

From this reading The sick man closed his eyes, as if to shut out the memory of those wasted fingers that were ever so zealously moving, and then looking wistfully at the murmuring kettle, he said, "Has not the child come yet, Mary?--perhaps she has enough for our scanty meal to-night, and yet my heart misgives me on her account--is it not very late for her to stay away?

inflected form of “ply” — give what is desired or needed, especially support, food or sustenance

From this reading Near her, on a lowly bed, lay her suffering husband, watching the wan fingers as they busily plied for him who would fain have spent his last strength for their rest.

especially fine or decorative clothing

From this reading Up, up, up till you reached the very topmost room in a rickety building in ---- street, and there they were--a woman in neat but coarse raiment, seated by a flickering candle, stitching for the life, and with every effort for the life, stitching out the life.

past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading Up, up, up till you reached the very topmost room in a rickety building in ---- street, and there they were--a woman in neat but coarse raiment, seated by a flickering candle, stitching for the life, and with every effort for the life, stitching out the life.

not move; be in a resting position

From this reading Near her, on a lowly bed, lay her suffering husband, watching the wan fingers as they busily plied for him who would fain have spent his last strength for their rest.

inclined to shake as from weakness or defect

From this reading Up, up, up till you reached the very topmost room in a rickety building in ---- street, and there they were--a woman in neat but coarse raiment, seated by a flickering candle, stitching for the life, and with every effort for the life, stitching out the life.

a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building

From this reading The frosty breath of a December night came through the chinks in the roof, and around the windows, and left its bitter impress upon the sick and weary.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading Up, up, up till you reached the very topmost room in a rickety building in ---- street, and there they were--a woman in neat but coarse raiment, seated by a flickering candle, stitching for the life, and with every effort for the life, stitching out the life.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading The sick man closed his eyes, as if to shut out the memory of those wasted fingers that were ever so zealously moving, and then looking wistfully at the murmuring kettle, he said, "Has not the child come yet, Mary?--perhaps she has enough for our scanty meal to-night, and yet my heart misgives me on her account--is it not very late for her to stay away?

lacking in magnitude or quantity

From this reading The sick man closed his eyes, as if to shut out the memory of those wasted fingers that were ever so zealously moving, and then looking wistfully at the murmuring kettle, he said, "Has not the child come yet, Mary?--perhaps she has enough for our scanty meal to-night, and yet my heart misgives me on her account--is it not very late for her to stay away?

(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks

From this reading Up, up, up till you reached the very topmost room in a rickety building in ---- street, and there they were--a woman in neat but coarse raiment, seated by a flickering candle, stitching for the life, and with every effort for the life, stitching out the life.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading A few coals partially ignited, seemed to mock at the visions of warmth and comfort they inspired, and the simmering of the kettle that hung low over the coals, made the absence of a cheery board, and a happy group around it only the more painfully apparent.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The sick man closed his eyes, as if to shut out the memory of those wasted fingers that were ever so zealously moving, and then looking wistfully at the murmuring kettle, he said, "Has not the child come yet, Mary?--perhaps she has enough for our scanty meal to-night, and yet my heart misgives me on her account--is it not very late for her to stay away?

move so that an opening or passage is obstructed; make shut

From this reading The sick man closed his eyes, as if to shut out the memory of those wasted fingers that were ever so zealously moving, and then looking wistfully at the murmuring kettle, he said, "Has not the child come yet, Mary?--perhaps she has enough for our scanty meal to-night, and yet my heart misgives me on her account--is it not very late for her to stay away?

affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function

From this reading The frosty breath of a December night came through the chinks in the roof, and around the windows, and left its bitter impress upon the sick and weary.

cooking in a liquid that has been brought to a boil

From this reading A few coals partially ignited, seemed to mock at the visions of warmth and comfort they inspired, and the simmering of the kettle that hung low over the coals, made the absence of a cheery board, and a happy group around it only the more painfully apparent.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The sick man closed his eyes, as if to shut out the memory of those wasted fingers that were ever so zealously moving, and then looking wistfully at the murmuring kettle, he said, "Has not the child come yet, Mary?--perhaps she has enough for our scanty meal to-night, and yet my heart misgives me on her account--is it not very late for her to stay away?

depleted of energy, force, or strength

From this reading Near her, on a lowly bed, lay her suffering husband, watching the wan fingers as they busily plied for him who would fain have spent his last strength for their rest.

stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading The sick man closed his eyes, as if to shut out the memory of those wasted fingers that were ever so zealously moving, and then looking wistfully at the murmuring kettle, he said, "Has not the child come yet, Mary?--perhaps she has enough for our scanty meal to-night, and yet my heart misgives me on her account--is it not very late for her to stay away?

joining or attaching by stitches

From this reading Up, up, up till you reached the very topmost room in a rickety building in ---- street, and there they were--a woman in neat but coarse raiment, seated by a flickering candle, stitching for the life, and with every effort for the life, stitching out the life.

a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading Up, up, up till you reached the very topmost room in a rickety building in ---- street, and there they were--a woman in neat but coarse raiment, seated by a flickering candle, stitching for the life, and with every effort for the life, stitching out the life.

the property of being physically or mentally strong

From this reading Near her, on a lowly bed, lay her suffering husband, watching the wan fingers as they busily plied for him who would fain have spent his last strength for their rest.

a state of acute pain

From this reading Near her, on a lowly bed, lay her suffering husband, watching the wan fingers as they busily plied for him who would fain have spent his last strength for their rest.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading A few coals partially ignited, seemed to mock at the visions of warmth and comfort they inspired, and the simmering of the kettle that hung low over the coals, made the absence of a cheery board, and a happy group around it only the more painfully apparent.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading Up, up, up till you reached the very topmost room in a rickety building in ---- street, and there they were--a woman in neat but coarse raiment, seated by a flickering candle, stitching for the life, and with every effort for the life, stitching out the life.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Near her, on a lowly bed, lay her suffering husband, watching the wan fingers as they busily plied for him who would fain have spent his last strength for their rest.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading The sick man closed his eyes, as if to shut out the memory of those wasted fingers that were ever so zealously moving, and then looking wistfully at the murmuring kettle, he said, "Has not the child come yet, Mary?--perhaps she has enough for our scanty meal to-night, and yet my heart misgives me on her account--is it not very late for her to stay away?

in or at that place or location

From this reading Up, up, up till you reached the very topmost room in a rickety building in ---- street, and there they were--a woman in neat but coarse raiment, seated by a flickering candle, stitching for the life, and with every effort for the life, stitching out the life.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Up, up, up till you reached the very topmost room in a rickety building in ---- street, and there they were--a woman in neat but coarse raiment, seated by a flickering candle, stitching for the life, and with every effort for the life, stitching out the life.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading The sick man closed his eyes, as if to shut out the memory of those wasted fingers that were ever so zealously moving, and then looking wistfully at the murmuring kettle, he said, "Has not the child come yet, Mary?--perhaps she has enough for our scanty meal to-night, and yet my heart misgives me on her account--is it not very late for her to stay away?

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading The frosty breath of a December night came through the chinks in the roof, and around the windows, and left its bitter impress upon the sick and weary.

up to a particular time

From this reading Up, up, up till you reached the very topmost room in a rickety building in ---- street, and there they were--a woman in neat but coarse raiment, seated by a flickering candle, stitching for the life, and with every effort for the life, stitching out the life.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading A few coals partially ignited, seemed to mock at the visions of warmth and comfort they inspired, and the simmering of the kettle that hung low over the coals, made the absence of a cheery board, and a happy group around it only the more painfully apparent.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The sick man closed his eyes, as if to shut out the memory of those wasted fingers that were ever so zealously moving, and then looking wistfully at the murmuring kettle, he said, "Has not the child come yet, Mary?--perhaps she has enough for our scanty meal to-night, and yet my heart misgives me on her account--is it not very late for her to stay away?

at or nearest to the top

From this reading Up, up, up till you reached the very topmost room in a rickety building in ---- street, and there they were--a woman in neat but coarse raiment, seated by a flickering candle, stitching for the life, and with every effort for the life, stitching out the life.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading Up, up, up till you reached the very topmost room in a rickety building in ---- street, and there they were--a woman in neat but coarse raiment, seated by a flickering candle, stitching for the life, and with every effort for the life, stitching out the life.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading The frosty breath of a December night came through the chinks in the roof, and around the windows, and left its bitter impress upon the sick and weary.

precisely as stated

From this reading Up, up, up till you reached the very topmost room in a rickety building in ---- street, and there they were--a woman in neat but coarse raiment, seated by a flickering candle, stitching for the life, and with every effort for the life, stitching out the life.

plural of “vision” — a vivid mental image

From this reading A few coals partially ignited, seemed to mock at the visions of warmth and comfort they inspired, and the simmering of the kettle that hung low over the coals, made the absence of a cheery board, and a happy group around it only the more painfully apparent.

(of light) lacking in intensity or brightness; dim or feeble

From this reading Near her, on a lowly bed, lay her suffering husband, watching the wan fingers as they busily plied for him who would fain have spent his last strength for their rest.

the sensation caused by heat energy

From this reading A few coals partially ignited, seemed to mock at the visions of warmth and comfort they inspired, and the simmering of the kettle that hung low over the coals, made the absence of a cheery board, and a happy group around it only the more painfully apparent.

serving no useful purpose; having no excuse for being

From this reading The sick man closed his eyes, as if to shut out the memory of those wasted fingers that were ever so zealously moving, and then looking wistfully at the murmuring kettle, he said, "Has not the child come yet, Mary?--perhaps she has enough for our scanty meal to-night, and yet my heart misgives me on her account--is it not very late for her to stay away?

the act of observing; taking a patient look

From this reading Near her, on a lowly bed, lay her suffering husband, watching the wan fingers as they busily plied for him who would fain have spent his last strength for their rest.

exhaust or get tired through overuse or great strain or stress

From this reading The frosty breath of a December night came through the chinks in the roof, and around the windows, and left its bitter impress upon the sick and weary.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Up, up, up till you reached the very topmost room in a rickety building in ---- street, and there they were--a woman in neat but coarse raiment, seated by a flickering candle, stitching for the life, and with every effort for the life, stitching out the life.

which person or people

From this reading Near her, on a lowly bed, lay her suffering husband, watching the wan fingers as they busily plied for him who would fain have spent his last strength for their rest.

(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface

From this reading The frosty breath of a December night came through the chinks in the roof, and around the windows, and left its bitter impress upon the sick and weary.

in a wistful manner

From this reading The sick man closed his eyes, as if to shut out the memory of those wasted fingers that were ever so zealously moving, and then looking wistfully at the murmuring kettle, he said, "Has not the child come yet, Mary?--perhaps she has enough for our scanty meal to-night, and yet my heart misgives me on her account--is it not very late for her to stay away?

in the company of; together with

From this reading Up, up, up till you reached the very topmost room in a rickety building in ---- street, and there they were--a woman in neat but coarse raiment, seated by a flickering candle, stitching for the life, and with every effort for the life, stitching out the life.

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading Up, up, up till you reached the very topmost room in a rickety building in ---- street, and there they were--a woman in neat but coarse raiment, seated by a flickering candle, stitching for the life, and with every effort for the life, stitching out the life.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading Near her, on a lowly bed, lay her suffering husband, watching the wan fingers as they busily plied for him who would fain have spent his last strength for their rest.

but in spite of that

From this reading The sick man closed his eyes, as if to shut out the memory of those wasted fingers that were ever so zealously moving, and then looking wistfully at the murmuring kettle, he said, "Has not the child come yet, Mary?--perhaps she has enough for our scanty meal to-night, and yet my heart misgives me on her account--is it not very late for her to stay away?

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Up, up, up till you reached the very topmost room in a rickety building in ---- street, and there they were--a woman in neat but coarse raiment, seated by a flickering candle, stitching for the life, and with every effort for the life, stitching out the life.

in a zealous manner

From this reading The sick man closed his eyes, as if to shut out the memory of those wasted fingers that were ever so zealously moving, and then looking wistfully at the murmuring kettle, he said, "Has not the child come yet, Mary?--perhaps she has enough for our scanty meal to-night, and yet my heart misgives me on her account--is it not very late for her to stay away?