used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading For all the years since her one girlish romance had ended, she had been a patient helpmate to a man she merely respected.
Abby
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Life, always colorless at Christmas Cove, except in midsummer, now became changed for Aunt Abby.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading For all the years since her one girlish romance had ended, she had been a patient helpmate to a man she merely respected.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading Life, always colorless at Christmas Cove, except in midsummer, now became changed for Aunt Abby.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The annual visit to her sister's gave the only relief to this motionless life, monotonous as the tides sweeping in and out of the cove; but now a counter-current slowly flowed into it.
annualadjectiveUS /ˈænjuːəl/
completing its life cycle within a year
From this reading The annual visit to her sister's gave the only relief to this motionless life, monotonous as the tides sweeping in and out of the cove; but now a counter-current slowly flowed into it.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The annual visit to her sister's gave the only relief to this motionless life, monotonous as the tides sweeping in and out of the cove; but now a counter-current slowly flowed into it.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Life, always colorless at Christmas Cove, except in midsummer, now became changed for Aunt Abby.
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading Life, always colorless at Christmas Cove, except in midsummer, now became changed for Aunt Abby.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading Life, always colorless at Christmas Cove, except in midsummer, now became changed for Aunt Abby.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading For all the years since her one girlish romance had ended, she had been a patient helpmate to a man she merely respected.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The annual visit to her sister's gave the only relief to this motionless life, monotonous as the tides sweeping in and out of the cove; but now a counter-current slowly flowed into it.
the particular occupation for which you are trained
From this reading Chip, of course, with her winsome eyes and grateful ways, was its mainspring, and so checkered had been her career and so humiliating all her past experiences, that now, escaped from dependence and feeling herself a valued companion, she tasted a new and joyous life.
made or become different in nature or form
From this reading Life, always colorless at Christmas Cove, except in midsummer, now became changed for Aunt Abby.
checkeredadjectiveUS /ˈtʃekərd/
patterned with alternating squares of color
From this reading Chip, of course, with her winsome eyes and grateful ways, was its mainspring, and so checkered had been her career and so humiliating all her past experiences, that now, escaped from dependence and feeling herself a valued companion, she tasted a new and joyous life.
a person who is in charge
From this reading Religion had been her chief solace.
ChipnounUS /tʃɪp/
a small fragment of something broken off from the whole
From this reading Chip, of course, with her winsome eyes and grateful ways, was its mainspring, and so checkered had been her career and so humiliating all her past experiences, that now, escaped from dependence and feeling herself a valued companion, she tasted a new and joyous life.
period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6
From this reading Life, always colorless at Christmas Cove, except in midsummer, now became changed for Aunt Abby.
colorlessadjectiveUS /ˈkʌlərləs/
lacking in variety and interest
From this reading Life, always colorless at Christmas Cove, except in midsummer, now became changed for Aunt Abby.
a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading Chip, of course, with her winsome eyes and grateful ways, was its mainspring, and so checkered had been her career and so humiliating all her past experiences, that now, escaped from dependence and feeling herself a valued companion, she tasted a new and joyous life.
counter-current
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The annual visit to her sister's gave the only relief to this motionless life, monotonous as the tides sweeping in and out of the cove; but now a counter-current slowly flowed into it.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading Chip, of course, with her winsome eyes and grateful ways, was its mainspring, and so checkered had been her career and so humiliating all her past experiences, that now, escaped from dependence and feeling herself a valued companion, she tasted a new and joyous life.
CovenounUS /koʊv/
a small inlet
From this reading Life, always colorless at Christmas Cove, except in midsummer, now became changed for Aunt Abby.
dependencenounUS /dɪˈpendəns/
the state of relying on or being controlled by someone or something else
From this reading Chip, of course, with her winsome eyes and grateful ways, was its mainspring, and so checkered had been her career and so humiliating all her past experiences, that now, escaped from dependence and feeling herself a valued companion, she tasted a new and joyous life.
endedadjectiveUS /ˈendəd/
having come or been brought to a conclusion
From this reading For all the years since her one girlish romance had ended, she had been a patient helpmate to a man she merely respected.
having escaped, especially from confinement
From this reading Chip, of course, with her winsome eyes and grateful ways, was its mainspring, and so checkered had been her career and so humiliating all her past experiences, that now, escaped from dependence and feeling herself a valued companion, she tasted a new and joyous life.
apart from; not including
From this reading Life, always colorless at Christmas Cove, except in midsummer, now became changed for Aunt Abby.
experiencesnounUS /ɪkˈspɪriənsɪz/
plural of “experience” — the accumulation of knowledge or skill that results from direct participation in events or activities
From this reading Chip, of course, with her winsome eyes and grateful ways, was its mainspring, and so checkered had been her career and so humiliating all her past experiences, that now, escaped from dependence and feeling herself a valued companion, she tasted a new and joyous life.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Chip, of course, with her winsome eyes and grateful ways, was its mainspring, and so checkered had been her career and so humiliating all her past experiences, that now, escaped from dependence and feeling herself a valued companion, she tasted a new and joyous life.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading Chip, of course, with her winsome eyes and grateful ways, was its mainspring, and so checkered had been her career and so humiliating all her past experiences, that now, escaped from dependence and feeling herself a valued companion, she tasted a new and joyous life.
flowedverbUS /floʊd/
past form of “flow” — move or progress freely as if in a stream
From this reading The annual visit to her sister's gave the only relief to this motionless life, monotonous as the tides sweeping in and out of the cove; but now a counter-current slowly flowed into it.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Life, always colorless at Christmas Cove, except in midsummer, now became changed for Aunt Abby.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Chip, of course, with her winsome eyes and grateful ways, was its mainspring, and so checkered had been her career and so humiliating all her past experiences, that now, escaped from dependence and feeling herself a valued companion, she tasted a new and joyous life.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading The annual visit to her sister's gave the only relief to this motionless life, monotonous as the tides sweeping in and out of the cove; but now a counter-current slowly flowed into it.
girlishadjectiveUS /ˈɡɜːrlɪʃ/
befitting or characteristic of a young girl
From this reading For all the years since her one girlish romance had ended, she had been a patient helpmate to a man she merely respected.
feeling or showing gratitude
From this reading Chip, of course, with her winsome eyes and grateful ways, was its mainspring, and so checkered had been her career and so humiliating all her past experiences, that now, escaped from dependence and feeling herself a valued companion, she tasted a new and joyous life.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading For all the years since her one girlish romance had ended, she had been a patient helpmate to a man she merely respected.
helpmatenoun
a helpful partner
From this reading For all the years since her one girlish romance had ended, she had been a patient helpmate to a man she merely respected.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading For all the years since her one girlish romance had ended, she had been a patient helpmate to a man she merely respected.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading Chip, of course, with her winsome eyes and grateful ways, was its mainspring, and so checkered had been her career and so humiliating all her past experiences, that now, escaped from dependence and feeling herself a valued companion, she tasted a new and joyous life.
humiliatingadjectiveUS /hjuːˈmɪlieɪtɪŋ/
causing awareness of your shortcomings
From this reading Chip, of course, with her winsome eyes and grateful ways, was its mainspring, and so checkered had been her career and so humiliating all her past experiences, that now, escaped from dependence and feeling herself a valued companion, she tasted a new and joyous life.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Life, always colorless at Christmas Cove, except in midsummer, now became changed for Aunt Abby.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The annual visit to her sister's gave the only relief to this motionless life, monotonous as the tides sweeping in and out of the cove; but now a counter-current slowly flowed into it.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The annual visit to her sister's gave the only relief to this motionless life, monotonous as the tides sweeping in and out of the cove; but now a counter-current slowly flowed into it.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Chip, of course, with her winsome eyes and grateful ways, was its mainspring, and so checkered had been her career and so humiliating all her past experiences, that now, escaped from dependence and feeling herself a valued companion, she tasted a new and joyous life.
joyousadjectiveUS /ˈdʒɔɪəs/
full of or characterized by joy
From this reading Chip, of course, with her winsome eyes and grateful ways, was its mainspring, and so checkered had been her career and so humiliating all her past experiences, that now, escaped from dependence and feeling herself a valued companion, she tasted a new and joyous life.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Life, always colorless at Christmas Cove, except in midsummer, now became changed for Aunt Abby.
mainspringnoun
the most important spring in a mechanical device (especially a clock or watch); as it uncoils it drives the mechanism
From this reading Chip, of course, with her winsome eyes and grateful ways, was its mainspring, and so checkered had been her career and so humiliating all her past experiences, that now, escaped from dependence and feeling herself a valued companion, she tasted a new and joyous life.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading For all the years since her one girlish romance had ended, she had been a patient helpmate to a man she merely respected.
and nothing more
From this reading For all the years since her one girlish romance had ended, she had been a patient helpmate to a man she merely respected.
midsummernounUS /ˈmɪdˈsʌmər/
June 21, when the sun is at its northernmost point
From this reading Life, always colorless at Christmas Cove, except in midsummer, now became changed for Aunt Abby.
monotonousadjectiveUS /məˈnɑːtənəs/
tediously repetitious or lacking in variety
From this reading The annual visit to her sister's gave the only relief to this motionless life, monotonous as the tides sweeping in and out of the cove; but now a counter-current slowly flowed into it.
not in physical motion
From this reading The annual visit to her sister's gave the only relief to this motionless life, monotonous as the tides sweeping in and out of the cove; but now a counter-current slowly flowed into it.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading Chip, of course, with her winsome eyes and grateful ways, was its mainspring, and so checkered had been her career and so humiliating all her past experiences, that now, escaped from dependence and feeling herself a valued companion, she tasted a new and joyous life.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Life, always colorless at Christmas Cove, except in midsummer, now became changed for Aunt Abby.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The annual visit to her sister's gave the only relief to this motionless life, monotonous as the tides sweeping in and out of the cove; but now a counter-current slowly flowed into it.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading For all the years since her one girlish romance had ended, she had been a patient helpmate to a man she merely respected.
and nothing more
From this reading The annual visit to her sister's gave the only relief to this motionless life, monotonous as the tides sweeping in and out of the cove; but now a counter-current slowly flowed into it.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The annual visit to her sister's gave the only relief to this motionless life, monotonous as the tides sweeping in and out of the cove; but now a counter-current slowly flowed into it.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading Chip, of course, with her winsome eyes and grateful ways, was its mainspring, and so checkered had been her career and so humiliating all her past experiences, that now, escaped from dependence and feeling herself a valued companion, she tasted a new and joyous life.
a person who requires medical care
From this reading For all the years since her one girlish romance had ended, she had been a patient helpmate to a man she merely respected.
the feeling that comes when something burdensome is removed or reduced
From this reading The annual visit to her sister's gave the only relief to this motionless life, monotonous as the tides sweeping in and out of the cove; but now a counter-current slowly flowed into it.
a strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny
From this reading Religion had been her chief solace.
respectedadjectiveUS /rɪˈspektɪd/
receiving deferential regard
From this reading For all the years since her one girlish romance had ended, she had been a patient helpmate to a man she merely respected.
a relationship between two lovers
From this reading For all the years since her one girlish romance had ended, she had been a patient helpmate to a man she merely respected.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading For all the years since her one girlish romance had ended, she had been a patient helpmate to a man she merely respected.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading For all the years since her one girlish romance had ended, she had been a patient helpmate to a man she merely respected.
sister'snounUS /ˈsɪstərz/
possessive form of “sister” — a female person who has the same parents as another person
From this reading The annual visit to her sister's gave the only relief to this motionless life, monotonous as the tides sweeping in and out of the cove; but now a counter-current slowly flowed into it.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading The annual visit to her sister's gave the only relief to this motionless life, monotonous as the tides sweeping in and out of the cove; but now a counter-current slowly flowed into it.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Chip, of course, with her winsome eyes and grateful ways, was its mainspring, and so checkered had been her career and so humiliating all her past experiences, that now, escaped from dependence and feeling herself a valued companion, she tasted a new and joyous life.
solacenounUS /ˈsɑːləs/
the comfort you feel when consoled in times of disappointment
From this reading Religion had been her chief solace.
sweepingadjectiveUS /ˈswiːpɪŋ/
taking in or moving over (or as if over) a wide area; often used in combination
From this reading The annual visit to her sister's gave the only relief to this motionless life, monotonous as the tides sweeping in and out of the cove; but now a counter-current slowly flowed into it.
tastedverbUS /ˈteɪstɪd/
past form of “taste” — have flavor; taste of something
From this reading Chip, of course, with her winsome eyes and grateful ways, was its mainspring, and so checkered had been her career and so humiliating all her past experiences, that now, escaped from dependence and feeling herself a valued companion, she tasted a new and joyous life.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Chip, of course, with her winsome eyes and grateful ways, was its mainspring, and so checkered had been her career and so humiliating all her past experiences, that now, escaped from dependence and feeling herself a valued companion, she tasted a new and joyous life.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading For all the years since her one girlish romance had ended, she had been a patient helpmate to a man she merely respected.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The annual visit to her sister's gave the only relief to this motionless life, monotonous as the tides sweeping in and out of the cove; but now a counter-current slowly flowed into it.
tidesnounUS /taɪdz/
plural of “tide” — the periodic rise and fall of the sea level under the gravitational pull of the moon
From this reading The annual visit to her sister's gave the only relief to this motionless life, monotonous as the tides sweeping in and out of the cove; but now a counter-current slowly flowed into it.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading For all the years since her one girlish romance had ended, she had been a patient helpmate to a man she merely respected.
valuedadjectiveUS /ˈvæljuːd/
(usually used in combination) having value of a specified kind
From this reading Chip, of course, with her winsome eyes and grateful ways, was its mainspring, and so checkered had been her career and so humiliating all her past experiences, that now, escaped from dependence and feeling herself a valued companion, she tasted a new and joyous life.
go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading The annual visit to her sister's gave the only relief to this motionless life, monotonous as the tides sweeping in and out of the cove; but now a counter-current slowly flowed into it.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Chip, of course, with her winsome eyes and grateful ways, was its mainspring, and so checkered had been her career and so humiliating all her past experiences, that now, escaped from dependence and feeling herself a valued companion, she tasted a new and joyous life.
structure consisting of a sloping way down to the water from the place where ships are built or repaired
From this reading Chip, of course, with her winsome eyes and grateful ways, was its mainspring, and so checkered had been her career and so humiliating all her past experiences, that now, escaped from dependence and feeling herself a valued companion, she tasted a new and joyous life.
winsomeadjectiveUS /ˈwɪnsəm/
charming in a childlike or naive way
From this reading Chip, of course, with her winsome eyes and grateful ways, was its mainspring, and so checkered had been her career and so humiliating all her past experiences, that now, escaped from dependence and feeling herself a valued companion, she tasted a new and joyous life.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Chip, of course, with her winsome eyes and grateful ways, was its mainspring, and so checkered had been her career and so humiliating all her past experiences, that now, escaped from dependence and feeling herself a valued companion, she tasted a new and joyous life.
a late time of life
From this reading For all the years since her one girlish romance had ended, she had been a patient helpmate to a man she merely respected.
