used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A very sweet look had come into the old lady’s face, she kissed the girl’s check with trembling fervour.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading The girl passed on, and Aunt Ann looked after her slim little figure.
anew
From this reading The old lady’s round, steel grey eyes, over which a film like a bird’s was beginning to come, followed her wistfully amongst the bustling crowd, for people were beginning to say good-bye; and her finger-tips, pressing and pressing against each other, were busy again with the recharging of her will against that inevitable ultimate departure of her own.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading The old lady’s round, steel grey eyes, over which a film like a bird’s was beginning to come, followed her wistfully amongst the bustling crowd, for people were beginning to say good-bye; and her finger-tips, pressing and pressing against each other, were busy again with the recharging of her will against that inevitable ultimate departure of her own.
surrounded by; in the company of
From this reading The old lady’s round, steel grey eyes, over which a film like a bird’s was beginning to come, followed her wistfully amongst the bustling crowd, for people were beginning to say good-bye; and her finger-tips, pressing and pressing against each other, were busy again with the recharging of her will against that inevitable ultimate departure of her own.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “Well, my dear,” she said, “and so you’re going for a whole month!”
Ann
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The girl passed on, and Aunt Ann looked after her slim little figure.
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading The girl passed on, and Aunt Ann looked after her slim little figure.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading “Yes,” she thought, “everybody’s been most kind; quite a lot of people come to congratulate her.
the event consisting of the start of something
From this reading The old lady’s round, steel grey eyes, over which a film like a bird’s was beginning to come, followed her wistfully amongst the bustling crowd, for people were beginning to say good-bye; and her finger-tips, pressing and pressing against each other, were busy again with the recharging of her will against that inevitable ultimate departure of her own.
bird'snounUS /bɜːrdz/
possessive form of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading The old lady’s round, steel grey eyes, over which a film like a bird’s was beginning to come, followed her wistfully amongst the bustling crowd, for people were beginning to say good-bye; and her finger-tips, pressing and pressing against each other, were busy again with the recharging of her will against that inevitable ultimate departure of her own.
bustlingadjectiveUS /ˈbʌsəlɪŋ/
full of energetic and noisy activity
From this reading The old lady’s round, steel grey eyes, over which a film like a bird’s was beginning to come, followed her wistfully amongst the bustling crowd, for people were beginning to say good-bye; and her finger-tips, pressing and pressing against each other, were busy again with the recharging of her will against that inevitable ultimate departure of her own.
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading The old lady’s round, steel grey eyes, over which a film like a bird’s was beginning to come, followed her wistfully amongst the bustling crowd, for people were beginning to say good-bye; and her finger-tips, pressing and pressing against each other, were busy again with the recharging of her will against that inevitable ultimate departure of her own.
examine so as to determine accuracy, quality, or condition
From this reading A very sweet look had come into the old lady’s face, she kissed the girl’s check with trembling fervour.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading A very sweet look had come into the old lady’s face, she kissed the girl’s check with trembling fervour.
congratulateverbUS /kənˈɡrætʃəleɪt/
say something to someone that expresses praise
From this reading “Yes,” she thought, “everybody’s been most kind; quite a lot of people come to congratulate her.
cause to herd, drive, or crowd together
From this reading The old lady’s round, steel grey eyes, over which a film like a bird’s was beginning to come, followed her wistfully amongst the bustling crowd, for people were beginning to say good-bye; and her finger-tips, pressing and pressing against each other, were busy again with the recharging of her will against that inevitable ultimate departure of her own.
dearly loved
From this reading “Well, my dear,” she said, “and so you’re going for a whole month!”
the act of departing
From this reading The old lady’s round, steel grey eyes, over which a film like a bird’s was beginning to come, followed her wistfully amongst the bustling crowd, for people were beginning to say good-bye; and her finger-tips, pressing and pressing against each other, were busy again with the recharging of her will against that inevitable ultimate departure of her own.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading The old lady’s round, steel grey eyes, over which a film like a bird’s was beginning to come, followed her wistfully amongst the bustling crowd, for people were beginning to say good-bye; and her finger-tips, pressing and pressing against each other, were busy again with the recharging of her will against that inevitable ultimate departure of her own.
everybody's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Yes,” she thought, “everybody’s been most kind; quite a lot of people come to congratulate her.
opinion or judgment
From this reading The old lady’s round, steel grey eyes, over which a film like a bird’s was beginning to come, followed her wistfully amongst the bustling crowd, for people were beginning to say good-bye; and her finger-tips, pressing and pressing against each other, were busy again with the recharging of her will against that inevitable ultimate departure of her own.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading A very sweet look had come into the old lady’s face, she kissed the girl’s check with trembling fervour.
fervournoun
the state of being emotionally aroused and worked up
From this reading A very sweet look had come into the old lady’s face, she kissed the girl’s check with trembling fervour.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading The girl passed on, and Aunt Ann looked after her slim little figure.
filmnounUS /fɪlm/
a form of entertainment that enacts a story by sound and a sequence of images giving the illusion of continuous movement
From this reading The old lady’s round, steel grey eyes, over which a film like a bird’s was beginning to come, followed her wistfully amongst the bustling crowd, for people were beginning to say good-bye; and her finger-tips, pressing and pressing against each other, were busy again with the recharging of her will against that inevitable ultimate departure of her own.
finger-tips
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The old lady’s round, steel grey eyes, over which a film like a bird’s was beginning to come, followed her wistfully amongst the bustling crowd, for people were beginning to say good-bye; and her finger-tips, pressing and pressing against each other, were busy again with the recharging of her will against that inevitable ultimate departure of her own.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading The old lady’s round, steel grey eyes, over which a film like a bird’s was beginning to come, followed her wistfully amongst the bustling crowd, for people were beginning to say good-bye; and her finger-tips, pressing and pressing against each other, were busy again with the recharging of her will against that inevitable ultimate departure of her own.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading “Well, my dear,” she said, “and so you’re going for a whole month!”
a young female
From this reading The girl passed on, and Aunt Ann looked after her slim little figure.
girl'snounUS /ɡɜːrlz/
possessive form of “girl” — a young female
From this reading A very sweet look had come into the old lady’s face, she kissed the girl’s check with trembling fervour.
the act of departing
From this reading “Well, my dear,” she said, “and so you’re going for a whole month!”
good-byenounUS /ɡɪdˈbaɪ/
a farewell remark
From this reading The old lady’s round, steel grey eyes, over which a film like a bird’s was beginning to come, followed her wistfully amongst the bustling crowd, for people were beginning to say good-bye; and her finger-tips, pressing and pressing against each other, were busy again with the recharging of her will against that inevitable ultimate departure of her own.
of an achromatic color of any lightness intermediate between the extremes of white and black
From this reading The old lady’s round, steel grey eyes, over which a film like a bird’s was beginning to come, followed her wistfully amongst the bustling crowd, for people were beginning to say good-bye; and her finger-tips, pressing and pressing against each other, were busy again with the recharging of her will against that inevitable ultimate departure of her own.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A very sweet look had come into the old lady’s face, she kissed the girl’s check with trembling fervour.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The girl passed on, and Aunt Ann looked after her slim little figure.
inevitableadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈnevətəbəl/
incapable of being avoided or prevented
From this reading The old lady’s round, steel grey eyes, over which a film like a bird’s was beginning to come, followed her wistfully amongst the bustling crowd, for people were beginning to say good-bye; and her finger-tips, pressing and pressing against each other, were busy again with the recharging of her will against that inevitable ultimate departure of her own.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading A very sweet look had come into the old lady’s face, she kissed the girl’s check with trembling fervour.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading “Yes,” she thought, “everybody’s been most kind; quite a lot of people come to congratulate her.
past form of “kiss” — touch with the lips or press the lips (against someone's mouth or other body part) as an expression of love, greeting, etc.
From this reading A very sweet look had come into the old lady’s face, she kissed the girl’s check with trembling fervour.
lady'snounUS /ˈleɪdiz/
possessive form of “lady” — a polite name for any woman
From this reading A very sweet look had come into the old lady’s face, she kissed the girl’s check with trembling fervour.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The old lady’s round, steel grey eyes, over which a film like a bird’s was beginning to come, followed her wistfully amongst the bustling crowd, for people were beginning to say good-bye; and her finger-tips, pressing and pressing against each other, were busy again with the recharging of her will against that inevitable ultimate departure of her own.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The girl passed on, and Aunt Ann looked after her slim little figure.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading A very sweet look had come into the old lady’s face, she kissed the girl’s check with trembling fervour.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading The girl passed on, and Aunt Ann looked after her slim little figure.
(often followed by “of”) a large number or amount or extent
From this reading “Yes,” she thought, “everybody’s been most kind; quite a lot of people come to congratulate her.
one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading “Well, my dear,” she said, “and so you’re going for a whole month!”
used to form the superlative
From this reading “Yes,” she thought, “everybody’s been most kind; quite a lot of people come to congratulate her.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading “Well, my dear,” she said, “and so you’re going for a whole month!”
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The old lady’s round, steel grey eyes, over which a film like a bird’s was beginning to come, followed her wistfully amongst the bustling crowd, for people were beginning to say good-bye; and her finger-tips, pressing and pressing against each other, were busy again with the recharging of her will against that inevitable ultimate departure of her own.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading A very sweet look had come into the old lady’s face, she kissed the girl’s check with trembling fervour.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The girl passed on, and Aunt Ann looked after her slim little figure.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading The old lady’s round, steel grey eyes, over which a film like a bird’s was beginning to come, followed her wistfully amongst the bustling crowd, for people were beginning to say good-bye; and her finger-tips, pressing and pressing against each other, were busy again with the recharging of her will against that inevitable ultimate departure of her own.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The old lady’s round, steel grey eyes, over which a film like a bird’s was beginning to come, followed her wistfully amongst the bustling crowd, for people were beginning to say good-bye; and her finger-tips, pressing and pressing against each other, were busy again with the recharging of her will against that inevitable ultimate departure of her own.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading The old lady’s round, steel grey eyes, over which a film like a bird’s was beginning to come, followed her wistfully amongst the bustling crowd, for people were beginning to say good-bye; and her finger-tips, pressing and pressing against each other, were busy again with the recharging of her will against that inevitable ultimate departure of her own.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading The girl passed on, and Aunt Ann looked after her slim little figure.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading The old lady’s round, steel grey eyes, over which a film like a bird’s was beginning to come, followed her wistfully amongst the bustling crowd, for people were beginning to say good-bye; and her finger-tips, pressing and pressing against each other, were busy again with the recharging of her will against that inevitable ultimate departure of her own.
pressingnounUS /ˈpresɪŋ/
the act of pressing; the exertion of pressure
From this reading The old lady’s round, steel grey eyes, over which a film like a bird’s was beginning to come, followed her wistfully amongst the bustling crowd, for people were beginning to say good-bye; and her finger-tips, pressing and pressing against each other, were busy again with the recharging of her will against that inevitable ultimate departure of her own.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading “Yes,” she thought, “everybody’s been most kind; quite a lot of people come to congratulate her.
rechargingverbUS /riˈtʃɑːrdʒɪŋ/
-ing form of “recharge” — load anew
From this reading The old lady’s round, steel grey eyes, over which a film like a bird’s was beginning to come, followed her wistfully amongst the bustling crowd, for people were beginning to say good-bye; and her finger-tips, pressing and pressing against each other, were busy again with the recharging of her will against that inevitable ultimate departure of her own.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading The old lady’s round, steel grey eyes, over which a film like a bird’s was beginning to come, followed her wistfully amongst the bustling crowd, for people were beginning to say good-bye; and her finger-tips, pressing and pressing against each other, were busy again with the recharging of her will against that inevitable ultimate departure of her own.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “Well, my dear,” she said, “and so you’re going for a whole month!”
express in words
From this reading The old lady’s round, steel grey eyes, over which a film like a bird’s was beginning to come, followed her wistfully amongst the bustling crowd, for people were beginning to say good-bye; and her finger-tips, pressing and pressing against each other, were busy again with the recharging of her will against that inevitable ultimate departure of her own.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A very sweet look had come into the old lady’s face, she kissed the girl’s check with trembling fervour.
slimadjectiveUS /slɪm/
being of delicate or slender build
From this reading The girl passed on, and Aunt Ann looked after her slim little figure.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading “Well, my dear,” she said, “and so you’re going for a whole month!”
an alloy of iron with small amounts of carbon; widely used in construction; mechanical properties can be varied over a wide range
From this reading The old lady’s round, steel grey eyes, over which a film like a bird’s was beginning to come, followed her wistfully amongst the bustling crowd, for people were beginning to say good-bye; and her finger-tips, pressing and pressing against each other, were busy again with the recharging of her will against that inevitable ultimate departure of her own.
having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar
From this reading A very sweet look had come into the old lady’s face, she kissed the girl’s check with trembling fervour.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The old lady’s round, steel grey eyes, over which a film like a bird’s was beginning to come, followed her wistfully amongst the bustling crowd, for people were beginning to say good-bye; and her finger-tips, pressing and pressing against each other, were busy again with the recharging of her will against that inevitable ultimate departure of her own.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A very sweet look had come into the old lady’s face, she kissed the girl’s check with trembling fervour.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading “Yes,” she thought, “everybody’s been most kind; quite a lot of people come to congratulate her.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The old lady’s round, steel grey eyes, over which a film like a bird’s was beginning to come, followed her wistfully amongst the bustling crowd, for people were beginning to say good-bye; and her finger-tips, pressing and pressing against each other, were busy again with the recharging of her will against that inevitable ultimate departure of her own.
a shaky motion
From this reading A very sweet look had come into the old lady’s face, she kissed the girl’s check with trembling fervour.
ultimateadjectiveUS /ˈʌltəmət/
furthest or highest in degree or order; utmost or extreme
From this reading The old lady’s round, steel grey eyes, over which a film like a bird’s was beginning to come, followed her wistfully amongst the bustling crowd, for people were beginning to say good-bye; and her finger-tips, pressing and pressing against each other, were busy again with the recharging of her will against that inevitable ultimate departure of her own.
precisely as stated
From this reading A very sweet look had come into the old lady’s face, she kissed the girl’s check with trembling fervour.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The old lady’s round, steel grey eyes, over which a film like a bird’s was beginning to come, followed her wistfully amongst the bustling crowd, for people were beginning to say good-bye; and her finger-tips, pressing and pressing against each other, were busy again with the recharging of her will against that inevitable ultimate departure of her own.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading “Well, my dear,” she said, “and so you’re going for a whole month!”
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The old lady’s round, steel grey eyes, over which a film like a bird’s was beginning to come, followed her wistfully amongst the bustling crowd, for people were beginning to say good-bye; and her finger-tips, pressing and pressing against each other, were busy again with the recharging of her will against that inevitable ultimate departure of her own.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The old lady’s round, steel grey eyes, over which a film like a bird’s was beginning to come, followed her wistfully amongst the bustling crowd, for people were beginning to say good-bye; and her finger-tips, pressing and pressing against each other, were busy again with the recharging of her will against that inevitable ultimate departure of her own.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading “Well, my dear,” she said, “and so you’re going for a whole month!”
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading The old lady’s round, steel grey eyes, over which a film like a bird’s was beginning to come, followed her wistfully amongst the bustling crowd, for people were beginning to say good-bye; and her finger-tips, pressing and pressing against each other, were busy again with the recharging of her will against that inevitable ultimate departure of her own.
wistfullyadverbUS /ˈwɪstfəli/
in a wistful manner
From this reading The old lady’s round, steel grey eyes, over which a film like a bird’s was beginning to come, followed her wistfully amongst the bustling crowd, for people were beginning to say good-bye; and her finger-tips, pressing and pressing against each other, were busy again with the recharging of her will against that inevitable ultimate departure of her own.
in the company of; together with
From this reading A very sweet look had come into the old lady’s face, she kissed the girl’s check with trembling fervour.
an affirmative
From this reading “Yes,” she thought, “everybody’s been most kind; quite a lot of people come to congratulate her.
you're
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Well, my dear,” she said, “and so you’re going for a whole month!”
