Chapter XXVIII · Chapter 28

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

From this reading A TALK ON THE LAWN.

how long something has existed

From this reading Her presence was a comfort to Kate, for though she had never liked or trusted the girl, yet the mere fact of having some one of her own age near her, gave her a sense of security and of companionship.

changed in form or character without becoming something else

From this reading Her room, too, had been altered for the better, and the maid was given the one next door, so that by knocking on the wall she could always communicate with her.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading Her room, too, had been altered for the better, and the maid was given the one next door, so that by knocking on the wall she could always communicate with her.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading This was an unspeakable consolation, for at night the old house was so full of the sudden crackings of warped timber and the scampering of rats that entire loneliness was unendurable.

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

From this reading Her presence was a comfort to Kate, for though she had never liked or trusted the girl, yet the mere fact of having some one of her own age near her, gave her a sense of security and of companionship.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading This was an unspeakable consolation, for at night the old house was so full of the sudden crackings of warped timber and the scampering of rats that entire loneliness was unendurable.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Her room, too, had been altered for the better, and the maid was given the one next door, so that by knocking on the wall she could always communicate with her.

(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 Her room, too, had been altered for the better, and the maid was given the one next door, so that by knocking on the wall she could always communicate with her.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Her room, too, had been altered for the better, and the maid was given the one next door, so that by knocking on the wall she could always communicate with her.

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

From this reading That same evening Rebecca came down from London.

a state of being relaxed and feeling no pain

From this reading Her presence was a comfort to Kate, for though she had never liked or trusted the girl, yet the mere fact of having some one of her own age near her, gave her a sense of security and of companionship.

transmit information

From this reading Her room, too, had been altered for the better, and the maid was given the one next door, so that by knocking on the wall she could always communicate with her.

the state of being with someone

From this reading Her presence was a comfort to Kate, for though she had never liked or trusted the girl, yet the mere fact of having some one of her own age near her, gave her a sense of security and of companionship.

the comfort you feel when consoled in times of disappointment

From this reading This was an unspeakable consolation, for at night the old house was so full of the sudden crackings of warped timber and the scampering of rats that entire loneliness was unendurable.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Her room, too, had been altered for the better, and the maid was given the one next door, so that by knocking on the wall she could always communicate with her.

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

From this reading This was an unspeakable consolation, for at night the old house was so full of the sudden crackings of warped timber and the scampering of rats that entire loneliness was unendurable.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading Her room, too, had been altered for the better, and the maid was given the one next door, so that by knocking on the wall she could always communicate with her.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading That same evening Rebecca came down from London.

constituting the full quantity or extent; complete

From this reading This was an unspeakable consolation, for at night the old house was so full of the sudden crackings of warped timber and the scampering of rats that entire loneliness was unendurable.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading That same evening Rebecca came down from London.

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading Her presence was a comfort to Kate, for though she had never liked or trusted the girl, yet the mere fact of having some one of her own age near her, gave her a sense of security and of companionship.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Her presence was a comfort to Kate, for though she had never liked or trusted the girl, yet the mere fact of having some one of her own age near her, gave her a sense of security and of companionship.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading That same evening Rebecca came down from London.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading This was an unspeakable consolation, for at night the old house was so full of the sudden crackings of warped timber and the scampering of rats that entire loneliness was unendurable.

inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading Her presence was a comfort to Kate, for though she had never liked or trusted the girl, yet the mere fact of having some one of her own age near her, gave her a sense of security and of companionship.

a young female

From this reading Her presence was a comfort to Kate, for though she had never liked or trusted the girl, yet the mere fact of having some one of her own age near her, gave her a sense of security and of companionship.

acknowledged as a supposition

From this reading Her room, too, had been altered for the better, and the maid was given the one next door, so that by knocking on the wall she could always communicate with her.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading Her presence was a comfort to Kate, for though she had never liked or trusted the girl, yet the mere fact of having some one of her own age near her, gave her a sense of security and of companionship.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading Her presence was a comfort to Kate, for though she had never liked or trusted the girl, yet the mere fact of having some one of her own age near her, gave her a sense of security and of companionship.

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

From this reading Her presence was a comfort to Kate, for though she had never liked or trusted the girl, yet the mere fact of having some one of her own age near her, gave her a sense of security and of companionship.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading This was an unspeakable consolation, for at night the old house was so full of the sudden crackings of warped timber and the scampering of rats that entire loneliness was unendurable.

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

From this reading Her presence was a comfort to Kate, for though she had never liked or trusted the girl, yet the mere fact of having some one of her own age near her, gave her a sense of security and of companionship.

the sound of knocking (as on a door or in an engine or bearing)

From this reading Her room, too, had been altered for the better, and the maid was given the one next door, so that by knocking on the wall she could always communicate with her.

a field of cultivated and mowed grass

From this reading A TALK ON THE LAWN.

found pleasant or attractive; often used as a combining form

From this reading Her presence was a comfort to Kate, for though she had never liked or trusted the girl, yet the mere fact of having some one of her own age near her, gave her a sense of security and of companionship.

the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center

From this reading That same evening Rebecca came down from London.

the state of being alone in solitary isolation

From this reading This was an unspeakable consolation, for at night the old house was so full of the sudden crackings of warped timber and the scampering of rats that entire loneliness was unendurable.

a female domestic

From this reading Her room, too, had been altered for the better, and the maid was given the one next door, so that by knocking on the wall she could always communicate with her.

being nothing more than specified

From this reading Her presence was a comfort to Kate, for though she had never liked or trusted the girl, yet the mere fact of having some one of her own age near her, gave her a sense of security and of companionship.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading Her presence was a comfort to Kate, for though she had never liked or trusted the girl, yet the mere fact of having some one of her own age near her, gave her a sense of security and of companionship.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading Her presence was a comfort to Kate, for though she had never liked or trusted the girl, yet the mere fact of having some one of her own age near her, gave her a sense of security and of companionship.

immediately following in time or order

From this reading Her room, too, had been altered for the better, and the maid was given the one next door, so that by knocking on the wall she could always communicate with her.

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

From this reading This was an unspeakable consolation, for at night the old house was so full of the sudden crackings of warped timber and the scampering of rats that entire loneliness was unendurable.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Her presence was a comfort to Kate, for though she had never liked or trusted the girl, yet the mere fact of having some one of her own age near her, gave her a sense of security and of companionship.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading This was an unspeakable consolation, for at night the old house was so full of the sudden crackings of warped timber and the scampering of rats that entire loneliness was unendurable.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading A TALK ON THE LAWN.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Her presence was a comfort to Kate, for though she had never liked or trusted the girl, yet the mere fact of having some one of her own age near her, gave her a sense of security and of companionship.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Her presence was a comfort to Kate, for though she had never liked or trusted the girl, yet the mere fact of having some one of her own age near her, gave her a sense of security and of companionship.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading Her presence was a comfort to Kate, for though she had never liked or trusted the girl, yet the mere fact of having some one of her own age near her, gave her a sense of security and of companionship.

the state of being present; current existence

From this reading Her presence was a comfort to Kate, for though she had never liked or trusted the girl, yet the mere fact of having some one of her own age near her, gave her a sense of security and of companionship.

plural of “rat” — any of various long-tailed rodents similar to but larger than a mouse

From this reading This was an unspeakable consolation, for at night the old house was so full of the sudden crackings of warped timber and the scampering of rats that entire loneliness was unendurable.

(Old Testament) wife of Isaac and mother of Jacob and Esau

From this reading That same evening Rebecca came down from London.

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

From this reading Her room, too, had been altered for the better, and the maid was given the one next door, so that by knocking on the wall she could always communicate with her.

Identical; not different.

From this reading That same evening Rebecca came down from London.

-ing form of “scamper” — to move about or proceed hurriedly

From this reading This was an unspeakable consolation, for at night the old house was so full of the sudden crackings of warped timber and the scampering of rats that entire loneliness was unendurable.

the state of being free from danger or injury

From this reading Her presence was a comfort to Kate, for though she had never liked or trusted the girl, yet the mere fact of having some one of her own age near her, gave her a sense of security and of companionship.

a general conscious awareness

From this reading Her presence was a comfort to Kate, for though she had never liked or trusted the girl, yet the mere fact of having some one of her own age near her, gave her a sense of security and of companionship.

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

From this reading Her presence was a comfort to Kate, for though she had never liked or trusted the girl, yet the mere fact of having some one of her own age near her, gave her a sense of security and of companionship.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Her room, too, had been altered for the better, and the maid was given the one next door, so that by knocking on the wall she could always communicate with her.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading Her presence was a comfort to Kate, for though she had never liked or trusted the girl, yet the mere fact of having some one of her own age near her, gave her a sense of security and of companionship.

happening without warning or in a short space of time

From this reading This was an unspeakable consolation, for at night the old house was so full of the sudden crackings of warped timber and the scampering of rats that entire loneliness was unendurable.

exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading A TALK ON THE LAWN.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading That same evening Rebecca came down from London.

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

From this reading A TALK ON THE LAWN.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading This was an unspeakable consolation, for at night the old house was so full of the sudden crackings of warped timber and the scampering of rats that entire loneliness was unendurable.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Her presence was a comfort to Kate, for though she had never liked or trusted the girl, yet the mere fact of having some one of her own age near her, gave her a sense of security and of companionship.

the wood of trees cut and prepared for use as building material

From this reading This was an unspeakable consolation, for at night the old house was so full of the sudden crackings of warped timber and the scampering of rats that entire loneliness was unendurable.

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

From this reading Her presence was a comfort to Kate, for though she had never liked or trusted the girl, yet the mere fact of having some one of her own age near her, gave her a sense of security and of companionship.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading Her room, too, had been altered for the better, and the maid was given the one next door, so that by knocking on the wall she could always communicate with her.

(of persons) worthy of trust or confidence

From this reading Her presence was a comfort to Kate, for though she had never liked or trusted the girl, yet the mere fact of having some one of her own age near her, gave her a sense of security and of companionship.

incapable of being tolerated or endured

From this reading This was an unspeakable consolation, for at night the old house was so full of the sudden crackings of warped timber and the scampering of rats that entire loneliness was unendurable.

defying expression or description

From this reading This was an unspeakable consolation, for at night the old house was so full of the sudden crackings of warped timber and the scampering of rats that entire loneliness was unendurable.

an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure

From this reading Her room, too, had been altered for the better, and the maid was given the one next door, so that by knocking on the wall she could always communicate with her.

used especially of timbers or boards; bent out of shape usually by moisture

From this reading This was an unspeakable consolation, for at night the old house was so full of the sudden crackings of warped timber and the scampering of rats that entire loneliness was unendurable.

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

From this reading Her presence was a comfort to Kate, for though she had never liked or trusted the girl, yet the mere fact of having some one of her own age near her, gave her a sense of security and of companionship.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Her room, too, had been altered for the better, and the maid was given the one next door, so that by knocking on the wall she could always communicate with her.

but in spite of that

From this reading Her presence was a comfort to Kate, for though she had never liked or trusted the girl, yet the mere fact of having some one of her own age near her, gave her a sense of security and of companionship.